A school, a caravan park, increased industrial, commercial and retail areas and a commuter interchange, these are all things proposed for the future of Murrumbateman.
Residents have the chance to comment on the Murrumbateman Masterplan 2031 while it’s on exhibition through council.
The plan wants to provide “orderly, logical and sustainable” growth for the village where the population is booming.
However, the proposal hinges on the duplication and bypass of the Barton Highway around the village.
The plan outlines expansion of the village centre to the north and across the ‘old highway’ to the east.
“With the construction of the Barton Highway bypass, the old highway can be converted into a shared way, with vehicular and bicycle traffic calmed to a very low speed, and a wide promenade for pedestrians provided,” the structure plan says.
Existing facilities will be enhanced, such as Jones Park which will see the existing car park removed and the park expanded.
A new primary school is proposed near the village centre and adjacent to the sports oval for safe access.
The plan states the location of the school will create a new community focus for the village.
That community focus will also be centred on the new recreation facilities; with an upgraded sports oval, a new equestrian oval, open space for reserves and the potential for an indoor sports centre.
With tourism a big focus for the little village, two sites have been identified for tourist accommodation.
The report shows a small caravan park and small-lot tourist or residential accommodation accessed from the proposed Hillview Drive interchange.
This is to limit traffic in the village centre while still being within walking distance to the centre and recreation facilities.
A large chunk of the strategy plan map is dedicated to a winery precinct. This land is to the south-east of the village and is intended to draw in visitors.
"As the wines of Murrumbateman become more widely known, it is expected that demand for additional land for viticultural use will increase," the report states.
The key for this area was to maintain the minimum lot size of 16 hectares for primary industry production rather than "residential housing in a rural setting".
Council said the structure plan is the first stage of planning for the village and will provide guidelines for future development.
For more on the plan pick up a copy of the Tribune.
