GROWTH without water and sewerage could be part of Loddon Shire’s future plans for Newbridge.
Councillors on Tuesday voted to start a land use planning process to find the most appropriate way to grow the town.
They also allocated $300,000 from the strategic fund for investigations, community consultation and strategic planning.
The town’s community planning committee has been calling for connection to water and sewerage to help residential growth.
Council CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said council had previously advocated for connections.
“While council has undertaken work to understand the feasibility of reticulated water and sewerage, council is not responsible for providing this service or infrastructure,” he said.
“This work has been undertaken in order for council to determine the growth capacity of the Newbridge township.
“Understandably, as a service responsibility of the Victorian Government, council does not have the capacity or the appetite to expand its service investment or take on debt given its existing under funded obligations and financial position.
“If a reticulated water and sewerage system was to be constructed, Coliban Water would become the responsible authority for its construction, operation and service fee collection.
“It is proposed that council seek alternative ways to grow Newbridge without sewerage.”