Get a feel for towns

WHAT defines a town’s character? Is it the buildings? Maybe it’s the community itself?
This was the question posed in the Cardinia Shire Council Township Character Assessment, which put Kooweerup, Lang Lang, Garfield and Bunyip under the microscope.
The findings of the assessment are now in and will be open for public viewing and consultation until the end of May.
Garfield, Bunyip, Kooweerup and Lang Lang were prioritised for the study as towns that face increasing pressure from development.
To gather the information, public meetings were held in each township and their residents urged to share what they valued most about their towns, and what they wanted to see preserved.
Their comments were recorded, and used in the assessment to identify the elements most vital to the character and ‘feel’ of rural townships.
The study then looked at potential threats to the towns’ character and ways to minimise these by putting in place planning guidelines to ensure any future development protects and maintains this character.
Cardinia mayor Bill Ronald said protecting what Cardinia residents valued most about their township was a priority.
The guidelines are available at the shire offices, Pakenham Library, the mobile library and Lang Lang Community Complex, or can be viewed on line.