Table of Contents - Nillumbik Shire Council

Hurstbridge Township Strategyof development potential. The other five areas investigated were not considered suitable toprovide for further township residential development.The development assessment process for the areas identified as suitable for residentialdevelopment is outlined in the Strategy. This includes provisions for a development planfor requiring detailed site assessment and design response. The density of residentialdevelopment should be in accordance with the environmental and landscape qualities thatexist. Density should also match the design outcomes sought for the area.The interface between township, rural and conservation areas, and issues concerning thephysical and functional relationship between urban and rural activities, are ongoing issuesfor Hurstbridge. The Strategy addresses these issues and outlines environmental anddesign responses that should be used. Further residential development is not consideredsuitable in areas with high environmental values and/or environmental constraints norwhere such development intrudes into the non-urban breaks between nearby townships.EnvironmentHurstbridge is characterised by undulating topography, creek corridors, open spaces andheavily vegetated land. It is the natural environment that drew many of its residents tothe area and which the residents now want to protect and enhance.The Strategy outlines objectives to encourage land management practices and land useactivities that have the capacity to be sustained and both protect and enhance the naturalenvironment. This includes the protection of soil and water quality and the conservation offlora and fauna values.Pest plants are a major issue within private and public open space, especially along thewaterways. The Strategy recommends the continued implementation of community weedprograms and prioritising weed infested open space areas into Council’s work programs.Overlay provisions in the New Format Nillumbik Planning Scheme related toenvironmental management are detailed. The Strategy recommends the continuedadministration of these provisions.The Strategy recommends the active support of local groups such as Friends and Landcaregroups to undertake environmental works in accordance with relevant catchmentstrategies.Wildfire risk to person and property is an identified hazard in the Hurstbridge area due tothe combination of extensive vegetation cover, the orientation of steeply sloping land,climatic conditions and the location and design of development. The Strategy recommendsthe continued administration of the Wildfire Management Overlay. The overlay requiresany development application to have consideration to water supply, access, buildings andworks and vegetation management.The architectural quality of a streetscape is an important feature in Hurstbridge, which canmake a positive contribution to the overall appearance of the built environment. Historicbuildings are part of the architectural quality of the township and should be protected.Guidelines for built form elements, including roofs, verandahs, windows, doors, signage,height and materials are detailed in the Strategy. The Strategy recommends that a Designand Development Overlay be included in the Nillumbik Planning Scheme by way of anamendment. The overlay should be located over all that land fronting Heidelberg-KinglakeRoad (Main Road) between Parker Street and Cherry Tree Road to guide futuredevelopment.Nillumbik Shire Council – March 2002vi