Birregurra residents want the town to retain its heritage character and encourage a shopping culture in the town.
Colac Otway Shire Council is developing new structure plans for Birregurra and Forrest that will guide the ways the towns grow and change.
The council’s sustainable planning and development general manager Jack Green said the council asked people about their ideas for Birregurra during the town’s annual festival.
“We have learned that people want to retain the heritage character of Birregurra’s main street and encourage a stronger café and shopping culture,” Mr Green said.
“They saw the likes of Nippers and Sunnybrae as important because they attract visitors to the town,” he said.
Mr Green said the opening of the Geelong Ring Road and the pending duplication of the Princes Highway could turn Birregurra into a boutique commuter town for the coast, Geelong and Melbourne.
Mr Green said the introduction
of sewerage to Birregurra could lead to re-subdivision of existing
lots, which would present a challenge if the community wanted to retain the town’s low-density character.
Mr Green said the Council also set up a weekend stall at Forrest and learned that the town’s school was important to the community.
“We sensed that Forrest people had a strong desire to build on the tourism growth in their town, and also build on the base population growth to ensure the school has good support,” he said.
“Some people expressed an interest in re-zoning land to allow for an expansion of residential development.”
The council is also preparing a new rural living strategy, which will identify parts of the shire that would be suitable for small rural living lots.
People can attend public workshops to comment on the plans.
There will be a workshop at the Birregurra Hall at 10.30am on November 28, and at the Forrest Hall at 10.30am on December 5.

CHARACTER: Birregurra residents want to retain the town’s character while capitalising on events such as the annual Birregurra festival.