Strategy

Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy

Cardinia Shire Council is developing a Township Strategy for Nar Nar Goon and we need your input. We want to hear your thoughts and ideas to shape the future of our town.

The Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy covers the commercial area, residential zones, and the Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve. The township boundary is defined by the Green Wedge zoned land.

The Township Strategy aims to establish a clear vision for Nar Nar Goon. It will outline specific objectives and strategies to promote sustainable development, ensuring we meet the needs of both current and future residents.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the initial consultation for the Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy.

Between May and June 2025, we invited you to share what you value most about Nar Nar Goon and your hopes for its future. Your input has been instrumental in helping us understand the community’s aspirations and priorities.

We will carefully consider all feedback as we develop the draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy.

Nar Nar Goon Township Boundary

FAQs

  • Create a Long-Term Vision: Reflect the community’s aspirations for Nar Nar Goon.
  • Identify and Enhance Key Features: Protect and enhance the unique characteristics that make Nar Nar Goon special.
  • Support the Vision: Establish key objectives, strategies, and actions covering land use, township character, connectivity, the natural environment, and public spaces.
  • Develop a Consistent Planning Framework: Address challenges and constraints affecting the town with a cohesive land use planning framework.
  • Define Preferred Character Precincts: Outline suitable design guidance and built form outcomes for both public and private land.

Unlike Garfield and Bunyip, Nar Nar Goon currently does not have a township strategy. Some of the benefits of having a township strategy for Nar Nar Goon include:

  • Coordinated Planning: Ensures that various planning elements such as movement networks, land use, infrastructure, the environment, housing, and public spaces are well-coordinated and integrated.
  • Community Vision Alignment: Aligns development with the overall vision and aspirations of the community and it helps create a cohesive and sustainable community.
  • Efficient Resource Allocation: Helps in the efficient allocation and use of resources by identifying priority areas and needs within the township.
  • Improved Infrastructure: Facilitates the planning and development of essential infrastructure, ensuring that the township can support current and future needs.
  • Environmental Management: Includes strategies for managing and protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development practices.
  • Enhanced Public Spaces: Focuses on the development and maintenance of public spaces, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
  • Economic Development: Facilitate economic growth and create job opportunities within the township.
  • Community Engagement: Involves the community in the planning process, ensuring that the needs and desires of residents are considered and addressed.
  • Advocacy for Broader Needs: Identifies broader community needs, such as public transport and infrastructure improvements, and advocates for these improvements.

The Township Strategy will be a long-term strategic document, offering recommendations for the next 15+ years. It will guide the Council's decision-making in areas such as project priorities, advocacy, further investigations, budgeting, and potential planning scheme amendments to the Cardinia Planning Scheme.

Nar Nar Goon Township includes the commercial area, residential zones, community facilities (public school, kindergarten, halls etc) and the Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve. Land in the Green Wedge zone is outside the township boundary.

The strategy will focus on land within the township. Keeping clear boundaries between the township and Green Wedge areas is consistent with State and Local planning policies that aim to preserve the natural and agricultural landscapes.

The Victorian Property and Parcel information search provides you with quick and easy access to a summary of property information, go to Property and parcel search.

Any new development will be confined to the existing township footprint, known as infill development. This optimises land use within the current town limits. The suitability of infill development will be evaluated as part of the township strategy process.

Potential challenges include the capacity of existing infrastructure, such as roads and drainage, which may need significant upgrades, and possible community resistance if residents feel new developments will change the township's character.

On the other hand, advantages of infill development include the opportunity to provide diverse and affordable housing options, meeting the needs of different income levels and life stages within the community, enhancing the viability of existing and new businesses, and resulting in upgrades to key infrastructure.

The term "Green Wedge" refers to the non-urban land that surrounds Melbourne's metropolitan urban areas. This land is separated from urban areas by the Urban Growth Boundary, established by the Victorian Government in 2002.

Across Melbourne, there are 12 Green Wedges located within 17 local government areas. In Cardinia Shire, land falls into three of Melbourne's Green Wedges: (1) Western Port, (2) Southern Ranges, and (3) Yarra Valley and Yarra and Dandenong Ranges. Nar Nar Goon is situated within the Western Port Green Wedge.

For further information, visit:

The Cardinia Western Port Green Wedge Management Plan (2017) provides a strategic framework to guide the sustainable development and conservation of the Green Wedge area over the next 20 years. Some of the key purposes of the plan are:

  • Environmental Protection: It aims to preserve and enhance the natural landscapes, biodiversity, and ecological values of the Green Wedge.
  • Agricultural Support: The plan supports the agricultural industry by protecting high-quality soils and promoting sustainable farming practices.
  • Urban Growth Management: It helps control urban sprawl by maintaining clear boundaries between urban and rural areas, ensuring that development is concentrated in appropriate locations.

For more information about Cardinia’s Green Wedge areas, which includes the Cardinia Western Port Green Wedge Management Plan (2017) go to Green Wedge Management Plans - Planning controls in green wedge areas.

The Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy will focus on land within the township. Land in the Green Wedge zone is outside the township boundary, therefore is beyond the scope of this project.

However, all surveys responses and submissions, including those beyond the scope of the current project, are important and will be presented to the Council for consideration and/or noting. All survey responses and submissions will be reviewed to determine their relevance to the current project's scope and objectives, as well current State and Local policy.

Rezoning green wedge land is contrary to existing State and Local policy and involves a complex process requiring multiple levels of approval.

Strict planning controls under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, State and Local policy ensures the protection and preservation of Green Wedge zoned land.

A request to rezone Green Zone land requires approval from the Council, various agencies, the Minister for Planning, and finally, ratification by the Victorian Parliament.

More information about Green Wedge planning provisions can be found at Green wedge planning provisions.

Yes, your feedback is important.

There are two phases of community engagement in the development of the Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy.

Phase 1 took place from May – June 2025. The community was invited to help us understand what makes Nar Nar Goon special and to inform the vision and objectives of the draft township strategy. They shared ideas via an online survey or a written submission. The Phase 1 consultation closed on 16 June 2025.

Council will consider the results of the survey and content in the written submissions in its preparation of the draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy.

Phase 2 will take place across November – December 2025. During this time the draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy will be exhibited and a series of community engagement opportunities will be made available.

Council will assess and consider the results of the Phase 2 engagement in its preparation of the final Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy.

Phase 1 Survey

  • Survey closed

    Phase 1 – Community consultation May to June 2025

    • Opened 9 May 2025
    • Opportunities to participate
      • Online survey – quick and easy to complete
      • Written submission – accepted via email or post
    • Closed 16 June 2025

Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1 of the Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy consultation. Many residents contributed through our online survey and written submissions, and we are grateful for your input. Council is now reviewing all feedback received to help inform the development of the draft Nar Nar Goon Township Strategy.

As shown in the timeline, there will be more opportunities to have your say during Phase 2 of the consultation, which will take place later this year following the release of the draft strategy.

Stay tuned for updates and future engagements opportunities.