Macedon Ranges closing in on 50,000 residents

THE Macedon Ranges population is surging towards 50,000, with 20.6 per cent more people calling the shire home in the past 10 years.

THE Macedon Ranges population is surging towards 50,000, with 20.6 per cent more people calling the shire home in the past 10 years.

New census figures released confirm an estimated 47,512 call the shire home, a rise of 8129 residents in the shire since 2006.

Estimated Regional Population Figures found a 35.9 per cent rise in the Gisborne statistical area, one of six regions in the Macedon Ranges measured in the census.

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There are 13,345 residents in the Gisborne statistical area, up from 9823 in 2006. The Gisborne town itself makes up 8999 of that figure, to remain the shire’s biggest.

The data found numbers in the Kyneton statistical area climbed 17.6 per cent in 10 years to 9691. At the same time the statistical areas for Woodend moved to 7101, up 16 per cent; Riddells Creek to 4185, up 14.7 per cent; Romsey 9668, up 19.4 per cent; and Macedon 3541, up 2.4 per cent.

Macedon Ranges Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the Macedon Ranges was unique in both its key environmental assets and its shire services across nine main towns.

“We have to make sure we put populations in the right area and we don’t duplicate our services,” she said.

“We need to articulate to those coming here that you aren’t going to get nine swimming pools – we are operating a shire as a whole.”

Cr Anderson said a decision by the current council to form a 10-year, rather than four-year, council plan would support strategic directions, while the Macedon Ranges Protection Advisory committee would more overtly define town boundaries.

“We need to complete this work so water authorities, VicTrack, developers and residents know where development is supported and where waterways, the environment and farm activities are defined,” she said.

Cr Anderson said Gisborne had been identified as the most appropriate place for growth in the shire, as had Kyneton to a lesser extent. Services such as a train line support that.

Macedon Ranges Health chief executive Don Tidbury said a more varied service delivery­ was essential to meet the growth challenges.

These include an impending new mental health and wellbeing hub in Gisborne and expanding residential aged care in possible collaboration with Benetas.

Major roads projects, including $20 million in upgrades to Melbourne-Lancefield Rd and $6.65 million in works at Station Rd, Gisborne, are under way to cope with increased commuter populations.