Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy
Update February 2026 – Findings and next steps
Earlier this year, we asked the community to help shape the future of towns and settlements across Indigo Shire.
The response was strong, more than 270 survey responses, well-attended drop-in sessions across the shire, and written submissions from residents, service agencies and referral authorities.
We've now pulled all of that together and the Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy – Discussion Paper & Community Engagement Findings, February 2026 details what we heard, alongside a review of relevant policy, strategies and technical studies.
For each township, the findings have been used to identify key issues and opportunities that will directly inform the next stage of the project, preparation of the Draft Indigo Shire Settlement Strategy.
This first round of consultation is now closed while work on the Draft Settlement Strategy gets underway. Once the draft is ready, we'll be back to ask for community feedback, later this year.
In the meantime, we encourage you to read the findings.
Closed consultation
Help shape how Indigo Shire grows to 2051
We're seeking community input into the development of our first ever Settlement Strategy which will guide how our towns grow and change over the next 25+ years.
Why we're doing this
Indigo Shire has been growing at around 1.25% per year, that’s roughly 200 people annually.
Our communities value sustainable living, environmental care, climate action, and community pride. But you've also told us you want each of our towns recognised for their individual character and identity, not treated as one-size-fits-all.
This strategy aims to honour both things: planning for the growth that's coming while protecting what makes each township unique.
Understanding the scope
A Discussion Paper has been prepared to provide detailed context about what the Settlement Strategy will address and deliver for our community. It provides a snapshot of where we are now and what is driving housing change in our Shire, and it kickstarts a conversation about how our towns might change in the future. The Discussion Paper is intended to collate relevant background information on housing trends, population change and infrastructure availability, outline some of the opportunities and constraints for each township and drive discussion on these important topics through comprehensive community consultation.
You will find the Discussion Paper under documents on the right hand side of this page.
There are also other important planning considerations that impact the scope of this strategy, including Stanley Township and bushfire risk. Refer to the FAQs for further information.
What we're asking you
We want to understand what matters most to you about growth and development in our towns and communities:
- What do you love about where you live?
- What challenges do you see as our towns grow?
- What's most important to protect, improve, or plan for?
Your feedback will directly inform the strategic direction we set for housing, development, and township planning across the Shire.
What this Strategy will do
The Indigo Settlement Strategy will:
- Assess housing trends and forecast where growth is likely to happen in our townships
- Set a vision for the future that reflects community needs and values
- Provide the strategic foundation for future land use decisions
- Develop clear policy direction for planning decisions about residential, industrial, community facilities and services
- Include an implementation plan with specific actions and timelines
The strategy addresses the state government's target of providing 3,100 additional homes in Indigo Shire by 2051, while ensuring new growth complements what we already value about our established areas.
What this Strategy won't do
To be clear about scope, this strategy will not:
- Rezone any land (it provides the strategic justification that may lead to rezoning later through separate processes)
- Make recommendations about rural land use or farming
- Cover topics outside land use planning (like community programs, roads maintenance, or council services)
What happens with your input
Your feedback from the pop-up sessions and survey will be used to:
- Develop a community-informed vision for each township
- Identify what's most important to protect and where change could be welcomed
- Guide decisions about where future housing and development should be located
- Shape policy that planning decisions will need to align with
This is genuine input into strategic direction. While we can't implement every individual suggestion, the themes and priorities that emerge from community consultation will directly shape the strategy's recommendations.
