FAQs

A structure plan outlines how a town will develop and change over time. It provides guidance on how to manage and facilitate change within a town or area. It will include a vision along with strategies and actions to achieve the vision. This will include how land can be used, what facilities and infrastructure are required to support the town and how challenges and opportunities can be managed.

Skipton is a picturesque town, situated on the banks of the Mt Emu Creek, nestled in the northern part of Corangamite Shire approximately 168km west of Melbourne, 52km southwest of Ballarat, and 105km northwest of Geelong. The town and its surrounds have seen modest growth in the past few years with a current population of around 600 people.

The structure plan will consider how to make the most of the town’s many attributes while managing the flood and bushfire risks. It will outline how the town can ensure its future through planned growth and utilising opportunities for development.

The structure plan will ensure that any changes are well considered and planned to maintain and enhance Skipton’s character and vibrance.

Re-imagining Skipton will be developed building on the previous structure plan. A ‘Gap Analysis’ will be undertaken to identify new work needed to inform Re-imagining Skipton and outline how these gaps can best be addressed. There is much relevant work in the previous structure plan but there are some adjustments needed so that the town’s growth can meet current bushfire and flood risks and respond to State government policy including housing targets for the Shire.

Council is reviewing the Skipton Structure Plan to ensure it reflects current planning requirements and the latest information about flood and bushfire risk.

Since the Plan was adopted in 2024, discussions with the Department of Transport and Planning have indicated that further work is needed before it can be incorporated into the planning scheme. Reviewing the Plan now provides an opportunity to address these issues and make sure future planning for Skipton is based on the best available information.

The review will focus on key issues including flood risk, bushfire risk, the long-term social and economic future of the town, and how Skipton fits within broader State Government planning policy.

Council adopted the Skipton Structure Plan in 2024 and then began the process of incorporating it into the Corangamite Planning Scheme through Amendment C64cora.

As part of this process, Council held ongoing discussions with the Department of Transport and Planning about the amendment and the requirements for State Government approval. Through these discussions, it became clear that aspects of the Structure Plan did not fully align with new State planning policy and guidelines, making it unlikely that the amendment would receive Ministerial authorisation in its current form.

In November 2025, Council endorsed a proposal to withdraw the request for authorisation of Amendment C64cora and instead work with the Department of Transport and Planning and the Regional Planning Hub to review and update the Structure Plan.

The decision was also influenced by several important issues that have emerged since the Plan was prepared, including:

•  New flood modelling work underway to better understand current and future flood risks.
• The 2026 bushfires, which highlighted the importance of planning for bushfire resilience.
• Changes to State planning policy and regional growth planning.

Reviewing the Structure Plan provides an opportunity to ensure future planning for Skipton is based on the latest evidence, addresses local challenges, and is aligned with current State Government requirements.

The town centre has flooded on several occasions and twice in the last couple of years. Some businesses have been unable to reopen as a result. The plan needs to outline the risk of flooding and offer solutions for the town, particularly for the town centre. Flood mapping is currently underway to model anticipated flood risk. Managing the risk of flood and mitigating the impacts of any flooding event will be a key driver of this plan.

The town is at significant risk of bushfire. Skipton town was evacuated during a fire in early 2026 and this risk will increase over coming years. It is essential that the structure plan is designed with this important issue in mind to ensure the safety of residents and visitors and to mitigate the impacts of the local community and businesses. Re-imaging Skipton will need to consider the best way to manage this risk.  

The Victorian Government's Plan for Victoria sets long-term housing targets and identifies where future growth is expected to occur across the state.

For Corangamite Shire, the target is for an additional 1,400 homes by 2051. The Plan identifies Camperdown and Terang as the primary locations for future growth due to their access to services, infrastructure and transport connections, and because environmental risks can be more readily managed.

This does not mean growth cannot occur in Skipton. However, it does mean that any future planning for Skipton needs to clearly demonstrate how development can occur safely and sustainably, particularly in relation to flood and bushfire risk.

As part of the Structure Plan review, Council will work with planning authorities to ensure the Plan reflects current State planning policy while also considering Skipton's unique opportunities, challenges and long-term future.

The structure plan will be reviewed in consultation with community members, with a range of opportunities to be involved in the process.

A report is being developed which will outline all the research and data that is relevant to the town and its future planning. This will include a gap analysis from the previous plan, update economic and residential drivers, environmental and infrastructure considerations, and community desires and expectations. This will provide the foundation for the development of the structure plan.

A draft structure plan will be developed and made available for community and stakeholder comments.

The final plan – ‘Reimagining Skipton (Skipton Structure Plan)’ will be developed after consideration of community comments and will be presented to Council for formal adoption and implementation in 2027. Any consequential planning scheme amendments that may be required to implement the plan will follow that.