Thank you to everyone who participated or shared their thoughts on the draft Winchelsea Place Plan. We are currently reviewing all submissions.
Once reviewed, the submissions will be used to refine the final Plan prior to its presentation to the Council in early 2026.
The draft Place Plan has been prepared in collaboration with the Community Working Group, a group of 29 people selected through an expression of interest process. These members worked closely with Council across a series of workshops from July to September, helping shape a plan that reflects what is important to the Winchelsea community as the town grows to the year 2050 and beyond.
The draft Plan outlines a shared vision for Winchelsea’s future, supported by seven key principles to help guide growth and development. Feedback on the emerging Vision and Principles was gathered from the wider community in August 2025.
View the draft Winchelsea Place Plan here.
The final Place Plan will inform the development of a new Structure Plan in 2026, and highlights that success is a shared responsibility between Council and the community, with clear commitments from both.
Winchelsea’s population is projected to grow steadily in coming years, and it is important to plan now.
The Planning Scheme Review, adopted by Council at its June 2024 Council Meeting, recognised this and recommended the preparation of a new strategic plan for Winchelsea as a high priority.
To develop this new strategic plan, we are working closely with community, place planning for Winchelsea.
This will produce a clear plan for Winchelsea’s growth, developed for the present and future with community aspirations and placemaking in mind. The first stage of this has been the development of the draft Place Plan, which in 2026 will inform the development a draft Structure Plan for Winchelsea.
Council’s Urban Futures Strategy (UFS) provides useful insights into some of the key drivers of growth, and principles that will be employed alongside those in the Place Plan to guide high-level planning as Winchelsea grows.
See how the Place Plan and different strategies fit together
For any project enquiries, please contact the Strategic Planning team via phone 03 5261 0600 or email winchelseaplaceplan@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.
Contact us online now
e: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
ph: 03 5261 0600 (8.30am-5pm M-F)
1 Merrijig Drive (PO Box 350)
Torquay Victoria Australia 3228
Surf Coast Shire Council Acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, and Gulidjan and Gadubanud Peoples of the Eastern Maar, their Elders and leaders past, present and emerging as the Traditional Owners of the skies, land, waters and sea country across our municipality. We also extend our respect to all First Nations people who are part of the community.
