THE future of Inglewood and Bridgewater could be mapped out with new town structure plans.
Plan reviews announced this week will look at how land can be used, what infrastructure is required and how challenges and opportunities can be addressed.
The towns were identified in Loddon Shire Council’s Planning Scheme Review in 2023 as priorities for a structure plan due to the existing levels of demand on services in the area, the proximity to Bendigo, and the environmental challenges of bushfire and flood.
Inglewood and Bridgewater have previously been identified in State Government planning documents as towns with potential for growth.
Consultants Plan2Place have been appointed by the Department of Transport and Planning and Loddon Shire.
The council says affordable and diverse housing supply, business and job growth, town character and amenity and environmental risk are some of the issues that will influence the final structure plans.
Mayor Dan Straub encouraged residents to have their say.
“The 2023 planning scheme review clearly identified Bridgewater and Inglewood as priorities for structure plans and we are pleased to be able to get this process underway. It is vital we hear from residents and other interested parties on what they want for their towns if we are to get future development right.”
Plan2Place have already visited both towns and, according to  Cr Straub, are excited about the potential that they offer.
“They are currently preparing a background paper that will include information about economic and residential drivers, environmental and infrastructure considerations and community desires and expectations,” he said.
“This will provide the foundation for the development of the structure plans.”
Council says a survey is seeking information from community members, business owners and visitors about what they love about the towns and what they would like to see change has opened.
Community drop-in sessions will be held to enable each community and visitors to speak directly to the project team about their ideas, council says.
The Loddon Herald has been told the structure plans will take a long-term view of growth in the towns and could look at existing planning zones.
“This is not about 10 or 20 years but up to 50 and 100 years ahead,” a source said.