Mitchell Shire Council

## Mitchell Shire Council Planning Department Analysis Mitchell Shire is **highly developer-friendly** with Victoria's most ambitious growth agenda, targeting 66,000 new dwellings by 2051 - transforming from a small rural shire to match Bendigo's size. The council actively **encourages housing growth** and is **supportive of subdivisions**, particularly in designated growth areas like Wallan, Beveridge, and Kilmore. **Processing times are generally reasonable** for a growth-focused council, though the department faces significant pressure from unprecedented development volumes. Pre-application meetings are encouraged and typically productive, with the council keen to facilitate compliant proposals in growth areas. **Common delays** stem from infrastructure referrals rather than council resistance - particularly VicRoads, Melbourne Water, and utility authorities struggling to keep pace with development demand. **Vegetation assessments** can create bottlenecks in greenfield areas, and heritage considerations may slow applications in established townships. The planning department is **well-resourced for growth management** but stretched thin by application volumes. Staff demonstrate **flexible interpretation** of planning provisions when proposals align with strategic growth objectives, taking a **proactive approach** to facilitating development in targeted areas. **Strategic priorities strongly favor** residential subdivisions and medium-density housing in growth corridors, while maintaining protection for rural landscapes and township heritage areas outside the Urban Growth Boundary.