A LAND rezoning request on Wangaratta's Clarkes Lane will head to the Victorian Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, as the first step in a vision to transform residential zoned land into a 248–lot subdivision.
Due to Wangaratta's sewerage capacity restraints, developers propose to use cutting edge technology to install an integrated water management facility (IWM) – the same tech used at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
This would convert wastewater from the sewer system into Class A recycled water that would free up capacity for 350 households in total in South Wangaratta.
The recycled water can then either be used for irrigation purposes at the Cathedral College sporting fields and Targoora Park or fed back into the sewer system.
Community members will get the chance to ask questions or comment on the plans during a consultation period earmarked for early 2023.
A separate approval will be required for the proposed IWM facility (to be located at Wenhams Lane Reserve and Targoora Park) that will be undertaken concurrently with the rezoning process.
This will include detailed design of the facility and seeking Environment Protection Authority (EPA) approval.
Rural City of Wangaratta councillors carried the agenda item unanimously at its December meeting and mover Cr Harvey Benton pointed out there are other approvals required on the IWM component of the proposal.
"I will support the motion because of the recommendation, however, I would like to point out the steps going forward there are a lot of avenues, for example the EPA have to provide that the proposal is sound," he said.
"It will also help other parcels of land in the area as they will be able to get into their developments quicker."
Cr Benton said council has to start addressing elements of the planning scheme to make sure authorities such as VicRoads carry out necessary changes to ensure traffic flow in the area.
Cr Jack Herry also highlighted that this was only an early stage in a long process.
"There is a lot to be fleshed out with the treatment plant with mandatory community engagement and exhibition periods to go through," he said.
"On balance I'm in support of this stage of the proposal and I will be keenly watching community input and how the developers continue to modify the proposal as all the details and information comes onto the table to absolutely make sure they're delivering on the concept of net community benefit."
In hindsight Mayor Dean Rees said this area of land should have been included in the growth corridor rezoning when it was completed several years ago.
"It will help us deliver this land strategy because we are short on land due to external influences outside of our control," he said.
Cr Harry Bussell said one of the reasons he nominated for council six years ago was because he believed Wangaratta's population has grown slowly.
"Because of the good work that administrators did for a few years we are now in a position to grow this city and it's truly amazing the growth we have now," he said.