Overview
Stanhope is a small farming community. Just prior to the first World War the government purchased some 16,000 acres of the Stanhope Estate. Following the war, the Soldier Settlement Commission settled returned soldiers on to small farms in the area. Today, Stanhope is a small township servicing the surrounding farmers and their families.
Stanhope is a close knit community that boasts a primary school, a supermarket, recreation facilities, various small businesses and a large Fonterra dairy processing plant.
Place Based Planning
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 (from a street to an entire town) to understand their needs and aspirations. For example, improved access to public transport. Ultimately, what do you want your town to look like, function like and feel like?
Campaspe Shire Council endorsed a plan for Stanhope in 2019 to guide future community projects and activities.
Some of the groups that assisted with the plan include the Stanhope Development Group, local retailers, Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, Stanhope Primary School, police, Stanhope Health, Fonterra, Stanhope Men’s Shed and the CFA.
The plan outlined four key principles:
- Strong community connections
- Recreation and lifestyles
- Modern rural identity
- Investment and industry
The principles will help form the basis to develop and prioritise projects, along with how to measure their success.
The plan has identified 15 projects made up of short term (completed within six months), medium term (six months to three years) and long term (three to ten years).
Download the Stanhope Place Based Plan here(PDF, 7MB).
Township Facility Planning
Township Facility Planning looks at the future of the town's assets and identifies whether a facility should be renewed, upgraded, repurposed or retired. Stanhope is is yet to start Township Facility Planning.