Council endorses staged approach to Tatura growth planning

At its March Council Meeting, Council resolved to progress the Midland Highway Precinct and Pyke Road Precincts A and B to the next phase of strategic planning, while temporarily pausing work on the Murton Road Precinct due to identified drainage and flood constraints.

The Murton Road Precinct has been identified as an undrained catchment with no formal drainage outfall, meaning development cannot safely proceed without updated flood and drainage modelling. Advice from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority has confirmed existing flood data is no longer fit for purpose and must be updated to meet current best‑practice standards and climate change requirements.

Council will continue to support the future progression of the Murton Road Precinct once the necessary technical investigations, including contemporary flood modelling and drainage assessments, are completed.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the decision strikes a balance between supporting growth in Tatura and managing flood risk responsibly.

“This staged approach allows planning to continue in areas that are ready, while ensuring future decisions for flood‑affected land are informed by up‑to‑date technical evidence,” he said.

“By allowing unconstrained precincts to move forward, Council is providing certainty for landowners and developers, supporting housing supply and ensuring Tatura can continue to grow in a planned and orderly way.”

Council Rod Schubert, Midland Ward representative, said progressing the remaining precincts was essential to maintaining an adequate supply of developable land in Tatura.

“Tatura is growing rapidly and we want to ensure this can continue. Maintaining a supply of developable land is essential to supporting local jobs and responding to housing demand,” he said.

“Progressing the unconstrained precincts will ensure Tatura continues to have sufficient land to support housing, infrastructure and local investment.”

The staged approach helps manage Council’s risk exposure by ensuring land use decisions are aligned with Ministerial Direction No. 22 on planning for climate change and informed by modern flood modelling consistent with Australian Rainfall and Runoff 2019 standards.

Council officers will report back to Council on the future progression of the Murton Road Precinct once the required flood and drainage investigations have been completed and funding pathways are confirmed.

For more information, phone Council on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au