Michelago Masterplan

There is a growing demand for a rural property in places like Michelago from people looking for a rural lifestyle within a short distance of Canberra.

Michelago is at a crossroads where it could either remain a rural village or grow into a small town. While increasing housing may contribute to improvements in Michelago’s infrastructure, community facilities and business opportunities, we know that residents also want to preserve what they love about their hometown.

Council has therefore initiated a masterplan process to guide Michelago through these important decisions, ensuring the town evolves purposefully and that the community gets a say in its future.

Where we are at:

In December 2020, Council asked for your input to create a shared vision for the future of Michelago, asking you what you wanted to see projected, improved or added in Michelago. As part of this consultation we:

• Held our ‘big ideas for Michelago workshop’
• Asked you to provide feedback via our online survey
• Developed an interactive exercise to map and highlight Michelago’s most loved places
• Created an online brainstorming tool to gather the community’s ideas about the future of Michelago

What we heard:

Thank you to everyone who took their time to provide ideas and suggestions to help inform the Masterplan vision. From the first round of consultation we heard the following:

• Residents strongly value the rural character, natural landscape and sense of community in Michelago
• Residents want to see the town centre developed and existing facilities upgraded while maintaining the rural village ambience of Michelago
• Vacant heritage buildings should be utilised for inclusive services such as hospitality, events, museums, galleries and small businesses
• Improvements need to be made to existing recreational facilities and new facilities established
• Economic growth, preservation of local character and protection of heritage features should be the top three priorities that underpin the Masterplan
• Above all else, any future development must be appropriate in both density and scale to avoid over development of the town

Based on this feedback three Masterplan options have been developed. These recommendations can be accessed via the links on the right-hand side of the page.

Hard copies of the recommendations can also be accessed at the Michelago General Store and our mobile library.

Have your say:

We want to hear from residents about your thoughts, ideas and feedback on the Masterplan options. To have your say and provide feedback please complete the survey below or email your thoughts directly to Council at council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au.

Council will also be holding information sessions for residents to view the development scenarios on exhibition, chat to a representative from Council, ask further questions and provide feedback on the options.

We encourage residents to drop into a session outside the Michelago General Store, during a time that suits them on the following dates:

• Monday 26 April (8am to 12pm)
• Saturday 1 May (9am to 12pm)

Feedback on the Masterplan options will be open for the public until 6pm Monday 10 May. Following the public exhibition, Council will consider submissions and develop a final Masterplan recommendation, with further opportunity for the public to provide feedback.