Transforming Horsham a key step in city’s growth

Published on 27 February 2019

Planning for Horsham’s future will move into a significant new phase across the next six months under the banner of ‘Transforming Horsham’.

Transforming Horsham is essentially one assignment with four strategic projects that each have the common goal of growing the city’s economy and liveability.

The public consultation period is now open, with people invited to have their say on the city’s Open Space Strategy as well as the Horsham Urban Transport Plan. Surveys will also be available at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days next week.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Open Space Strategy

HAVE YOUR SAY: Horsham Urban Transport Plan

The Horsham South Structure Plan and Wimmera River and Central Activity District Visioning Project will also be open for public engagement in the coming weeks.

Horsham Rural City Council Chief Executive Sunil Bhalla said the Transforming Horsham brand was designed to build the community’s understanding that the four strategic plans had the same purpose - to transform Horsham.

“Having four concurrent projects sit under one banner helps us co-ordinate our strategic thinking so that we can map out the best version for Horsham we can possibly imagine,” he said.  

Mr Bhalla said Transforming Horsham would continue the momentum of public consultation work completed across the past five years.

“While we are open to new ideas, we are not asking the same questions again. The public has told us what they want. Now we are moving onto how we will deliver the projects,” Mr Bhalla said.

“We will work with key stakeholders to continue the momentum created through the existing strategic work on the river and central Horsham, while also filling gaps in the areas of integrated transport planning and public open space.

“All existing ideas and knowledge will be brought together and new ideas will be captured. The resulting concepts plans will provide a clear vision with action plans that will be used to secure public and private sector investment to make the projects happen,” he said.

The first stage of the river and central Horsham project has already started, with Council working with consultants to undertake targeted stakeholder engagement.  These targeted activities included workshops with a range of community groups and agency representatives.

Mayor Mark Radford said residents, user groups, businesses and visitors needed to be front and centre in guiding the discussion about what the future should hold.

“In mid-April we will be out and about to test community responses to project concepts and we look forward to seeing you there to give us your feedback and hearing from you online,” Cr Radford said.

“Council has the challenging task of accommodating growth and new development in the Wimmera, while creating modern and successful precincts which improve and protect the character of our local area.

“One way we can take on this challenge and plan for the future of is by having community-owned, long-term plans in place.

“This project really is a partnership. It is with your help that we will be able to plan for the future. I invite all residents to participate in all community engagement activities across the four projects to share their knowledge and ideas,” Cr Radford said.