Draft Tongala Place Based Plan open for feedback
Published on 20 February 2023
The continually developing town of Tongala has great aspirations. After months of consultation and engagement with more than 500 residents, the Tongala Place Based Plan Committee has approved the draft Tongala Place Based Plan for the community to review.
Place Based Plans focus on making places better. The process involves looking at, listening to, and engaging with community members who live, work and play in a particular place to understand their needs and aspirations.
During the next five weeks, Tongala and district community members will have the opportunity to read and discuss the contents of the plan and provide feedback before it takes the next step, being tabled to Council.
The Tongala Place Based Plan Committee, comprised of local residents, worked alongside independent consultant Projectura to guide the development of the plan, which has been active since March 2022.
Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Rob Amos said the committee’s work had been greatly influenced by the responses garnered from a community survey last year.
“The committee and the consultant lead a community survey in June of 2022, attending a local football game, pop up sessions in the main street and many other means of gaining resident’s opinions and objectives.
“Through the survey, residents provided information like what the future of their town should look like, how that could be managed, and what they felt was most important, along with other informative questions.
“I’m in awe of how committed the community is and how much they love their town.
“Having 446 responses to the survey, plus an additional 189 responses through pop up sessions and telephone interviews shows just how much people are prepared to be involved in their future. Quite phenomenal numbers, with a broad perspective from all walks of life.”
The Tongala Place Based Plan Committee, chaired by Jason Kelley, also comprises of Murray Ross, James Stokes, Amber Townsend, Jessica Townsend, Michael Thompson and Kay Fairchild.
Committee Chairperson Jason Kelley said the plan had been a labour of love for all involved.
“The committee is incredibly proud of the draft plan, and we’re excited to present this to our community. It’s been a long process to collectively bring together the ideas and ambitions of an entire town, but we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.
“I encourage everyone who lives, works and plays in Tonny to read the draft plan and submit your thoughts. We look forward to receiving your feedback!”
You can read the draft Tongala Place Based Plan and submit feedback via Council’s website, under the section ‘Now Open’. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday, 24 March.
A number of community events will be held over the coming weeks to present and discuss the draft plan, including at the ‘Fun Day at the Town Square’ event on Saturday, 18 March. More opportunities to be announced at a later date.