title: Macedon Ranges Heritage Strategy 2024-2034 council: macedon-ranges state: vic category: constraint classification: MINOR status: adopted last_compiled: 2026-05-31 source_docs:
- 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf
- final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf
Macedon Ranges Heritage Strategy 2024-2034
The available source set confirms that the Macedon Ranges Heritage Strategy 2024-2034 was adopted on 28 August 2024 and is now being used as a reference document in later Council planning and asset decisions. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226) The full strategy text is not included in the manifest, so this page analyses the strategy’s observable planning role rather than its complete policy content. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233)
Background
Macedon Ranges Shire is described in the Annual Report as an approximately 1,750 square kilometre municipality in central Victoria with about 56,000 residents. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553) The same source identifies the shire’s heritage villages, rural character, natural beauty, Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon as part of the municipality’s identity and visitor-economy setting. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553)
The shire is also subject to the Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy under the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes provisions of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553) That policy framework is described as protecting outstanding landscapes, settlement history, landforms and the natural environment, so the Heritage Strategy sits within a broader planning environment where heritage is one of several place-based constraints on land use and public works. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553)
The Annual Report lists the Macedon Ranges Heritage Strategy 2024-2034 as one of the Council policies, strategies and plans adopted in 2024-2025, with an adoption date of 28 August 2024. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662) This establishes the strategy as an adopted Council policy instrument, but the manifest sources do not show whether it has been translated into planning scheme controls, budgeted implementation projects, a heritage overlay work program, or a detailed conservation-action schedule. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
Analysis
Observable Function in the Planning System
The source documents show the Heritage Strategy operating as an input to later Council decision-making rather than as a stand-alone statutory control. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233) The March 2026 agenda lists the strategy among the Council plans considered in preparing the Macedon Ranges Community Equestrian Facilities Plan. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226) The same agenda also lists the strategy among the Council plans considered in preparing the Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233)
The practical mechanism is that heritage considerations are being carried into asset planning, recreation planning and public-land master planning before individual permits or works packages are finalised. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233) This matters because decisions about reserves, buildings, trails, pavilions, storage, car parking and sporting infrastructure can alter heritage fabric, heritage settings and interpretation of historic use. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.231; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235)
The strategy therefore appears to function as a coordinating policy layer between heritage-overlays, public-land-master-planning, open-space-strategy, asset-renewal and cultural-heritage-management. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233) The available sources do not confirm whether the strategy directly proposes new Heritage Overlay controls, planning scheme amendment work, conservation grants, heritage studies, or interpretation projects. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
Public Reserve Planning and Heritage Constraints
The strongest documented downstream application is at Woodend Racecourse Reserve. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228) The reserve is located at 1-27 Forest Street, Woodend, and is primarily on Crown land with a smaller Council-owned portion. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228) Council has managed the reserve since 1992 as the appointed Committee of Management. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228)
The reserve is mostly zoned Public Conservation and Resource Zone, with a smaller Council-owned section in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228) The site is affected by Environmental Significance, Inundation, Vegetation Protection, Heritage Overlay HO344 and cultural heritage constraints. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228) This combination means heritage is not an isolated issue at the reserve; it interacts with biodiversity, flooding, public-land management, recreation demand and Crown-land governance. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228)
The Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan was prepared to guide future planning, development and activation of the reserve, and one of its objectives was to consider the future of historic buildings. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228) The final concept plan includes a proposed heritage walking trail loop and linkages. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235) It also identifies the grandstand for retention and repairs, the judges or race callers tower for retention, the vets room or swabbing box for retention and repurposing, stewards towers for retention, and the 700 marker for retention. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235)
There is a source-level tension in the treatment of some racecourse structures. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.231; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235) The officer report says item 25, the covered way and racecourse entry ticket box, is to be retained subject to required building permits and heritage conditions. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.231) The attached concept plan separately says item 23, the old ticket box, is to be retained as a short-term storage area, while item 25, the covered way, is to be decommissioned and removed. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235) This discrepancy should be resolved before detailed design because it affects which heritage elements are retained, removed, interpreted, or incorporated into future buildings. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.231; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235)
The Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan has an estimated implementation cost of $18.7 million in 2026 dollars, excluding ongoing operational costs. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.234) The agenda states that Council expenditure and project timing are subject to capital works programming and annual budget consideration. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.234) Heritage retention therefore has a practical capital-works implication: retained structures may require repairs, permits, integration with new circulation and buildings, and staging decisions alongside higher-cost recreation infrastructure. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.234; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235)
Recreation, Open Space and Sensitive-Land Management
The March 2026 agenda also shows the Heritage Strategy being considered in the Macedon Ranges Community Equestrian Facilities Plan. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226) That plan is described as a shift from ad hoc equestrian facility management toward a more consistent approach to facility planning and management. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.225) Several equestrian venues are described as having environmentally or culturally sensitive areas, and the agenda states that restrictions may be needed in some locations to protect environmental and cultural values. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.227)
The planning implication is that heritage and cultural values can alter how public recreation land is used, maintained and improved. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.227) In operational terms, this can affect activity areas, access controls, maintenance practices, club responsibilities, education programs and future works scopes. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.227) The available sources do not identify the specific equestrian sites, heritage places, Aboriginal cultural heritage areas, or restrictions that flow from the Heritage Strategy. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.227)
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Interface
The Annual Report states that the land now known as Macedon Ranges has Aboriginal heritage spanning at least 30,000-40,000 years. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553) It identifies three Traditional Owner Groups for the area: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Taungurung Land and Waters Council, and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553) It also states that all three are Registered Aboriginal Parties, with Taungurung Land and Waters Council and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation having Recognition and Settlement Agreements with the State of Victoria. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.554)
Council’s 2025-2035 strategic framework includes a priority to work with Traditional Owner Groups under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 to support appropriate land use, stewardship and development. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.787) The Year One Action Plan proposes early engagement with Traditional Owner Groups on selected capital projects and participation in forums and partnerships to embed cultural heritage outcomes across Council’s work. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.941)
This creates an important boundary for interpreting the Heritage Strategy. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.787; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.941) Built heritage management, Heritage Overlay controls and historic-place interpretation must operate alongside statutory Aboriginal cultural heritage responsibilities and Traditional Owner engagement. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.554; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.941) The manifest sources do not show whether the Heritage Strategy itself contains actions, governance protocols or resourcing commitments for this interface. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
Strategic Alignment and Implementation Signals
Council’s draft 2025-2035 strategic framework includes a built-environment priority to protect shire character by incorporating and prioritising heritage management, rural character, visual amenity and the natural environment. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.787) The Year One Action Plan connects this priority to progressing the Gisborne Urban Design Framework. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.941) This suggests that heritage management is being linked to township character and urban design, not only to individual heritage assets. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.787; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.941)
The same strategic framework includes priorities to partner with community groups, historical groups, arts groups, cultural groups and Traditional Owner Groups to develop cultural and eco-tourism and share cultures, histories and significant places. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.789) The Year One Action Plan includes contributing to the Goldfields World Heritage Bid and strengthening partnerships with heritage and cultural leaders, including Traditional Owners. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.945) These actions indicate that heritage is being treated both as a land-use constraint and as a public-history and place-management function. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.789; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.945)
The Annual Report states that Council’s Strategic Planning team supports sustainable growth and development, provides heritage advice and progresses strategic planning scheme amendments. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.642) The same service area reported net actual cost of 1,124,319 against a budget of 1,350,497 in 2024-2025. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.642) The sources do not separate the portion of this service cost used for heritage advice, heritage studies, Heritage Overlay amendments, or Heritage Strategy implementation. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.642)
Current Status
The strategy is adopted, with the adoption date recorded as 28 August 2024. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662) By March 2026, it was being referenced as an informing Council policy for the Community Equestrian Facilities Plan and the Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233)
The most concrete current implementation signal in the manifest is the Woodend Racecourse Reserve Master Plan, which proposes heritage walking links and multiple racecourse-heritage retention actions while also advancing recreation, access, biodiversity and open-space works. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235) The available sources do not show a dedicated Heritage Strategy implementation report, annual progress report, or adopted action schedule. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
Dependencies
- Blocks: The manifest sources do not show the Heritage Strategy blocking any planning application, amendment, master plan or capital project by itself. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233)
- Blocked by: Detailed implementation is not assessable from the manifest because the full strategy, implementation plan, heritage-place schedule and budget allocations are missing. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
- Informed by: The available sources show the strategy sitting within Council’s broader planning framework for distinctive landscapes, heritage villages, Traditional Owner engagement, public reserve planning and strategic planning services. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.554; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.642)
- Implements: The strategy appears aligned with Council’s strategic priority to protect shire character through heritage management, rural character, visual amenity and the natural environment, although the source documents do not confirm the strategy’s internal objectives. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.787)
- Conflicts with: Potential implementation tensions are visible where public reserve renewal, recreation infrastructure and heritage retention overlap at Woodend Racecourse Reserve. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.228; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235)
Cross-Jurisdictional Links
The Annual Report states that Macedon Ranges participates in a visitor-economy regional partnership with Hepburn, Central Goldfields, Mount Alexander and Loddon Campaspe shires. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553) The Year One Action Plan also includes contribution to the Goldfields World Heritage Bid and partnership with heritage and cultural leaders, including Traditional Owners. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.945) These links suggest that some heritage work may extend beyond municipal boundaries, but the manifest sources do not show the Heritage Strategy’s specific role in those regional programs. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.553; Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.945)
Gaps in This Analysis
The primary gap is the absence of the Macedon Ranges Heritage Strategy 2024-2034 itself. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662) Without the strategy text, this analysis cannot identify its objectives, actions, mapped heritage places, implementation timing, responsibilities, resourcing, monitoring framework, consultation findings or proposed planning scheme changes. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
The second gap is the absence of any dedicated implementation or progress report for the Heritage Strategy. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233) The manifest only shows later plans citing the strategy, so it is not possible to test whether Council has completed, delayed or resourced specific actions. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.226; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.233)
The third gap is the absence of the underlying heritage evidence base. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662) Missing materials likely include heritage studies, place citations, Heritage Overlay review material, community consultation reports and any proposed amendment documentation. (Source: final-agenda-attachments-council-meeting-22-october-2025-reduced.pdf, p.662)
The fourth gap is the unresolved Woodend Racecourse Reserve treatment of the covered way and ticket box. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.231; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235) The officer report and concept plan appear to describe different outcomes for related racecourse structures, and this should be checked against the final adopted master plan drawings and any heritage advice before relying on the listed treatment. (Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.231; Source: 25-march-2026-scheduled-meeting-agenda.pdf, p.235)
See _gaps for the recommended corpus gap entry: full Macedon Ranges Heritage Strategy 2024-2034, associated action plan, consultation report, heritage-place schedule, implementation reporting and any planning scheme amendment material.