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Rural Strategy - Surf Coast Shire

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<strong>Surf</strong> <strong>Coast</strong> <strong>Shire</strong> <strong>Rural</strong> <strong>Strategy</strong> Review<br />

Final Report<br />

10.4 Precinct 2 – Barrabool<br />

10.4.1 Description<br />

Precinct 2 takes in the north-east corner of the <strong>Shire</strong>, north of the Princes Highway and east<br />

of the Barrabool and Pollocksford Roads.<br />

Current land use<br />

The land within the precinct is generally used for sheep and beef grazing with a small<br />

number of properties used for rural lifestyle purposes.<br />

Settlement patterns and urban development<br />

While the precinct is generally sparsely settled with farmhouses, there are stretches of<br />

smaller lot frontages that characterise some roads. There is no urban development in the<br />

precinct. The Ceres township is located further to the east within the City of Greater<br />

Geelong.<br />

Allotment and tenements sizes<br />

There is a varied pattern of settlement and lot sizes within the area. Large to moderate<br />

sized allotments and tenements of 40 to over 80 hectares predominates, intermixed with<br />

smaller lots and excisions.<br />

Agricultural quality<br />

The agricultural capability of the precinct is predominantly Class 2-3 (high to moderate) with<br />

a small area of moderate agricultural capability (Class 3) in the west.<br />

Landscape characteristics and objectives<br />

The Draft Landscape Assessment North of the Princes Highway (2007) identifies the<br />

character type of this precinct as Barrabool Hills and describes it as flat to gently rolling open<br />

topography, punctuated in some areas by volcanic outcrops and the volcanic cone of Mount<br />

Moriac. The landscape comprises mostly paddocks sporadically marked by shelterbelts with<br />

few stands of remnant vegetation. The Barwon River forms a relatively deeply dissected<br />

northern boundary to the precinct<br />

The key landscape characteristics include:<br />

Hilly topography of the Barrabool Hills and scenic Barwon River escarpment.<br />

Elevated long distance views across the <strong>Shire</strong> and beyond.<br />

Homesteads, sheds and associated gardens in distinct clusters (particularly historic<br />

buildings).<br />

The roads and sporadic shelterbelt plantings draped across the landscape emphasising<br />

the rolling topography.<br />

RMCG Consultants for Business, Communities & Environment Page 67

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