Community Planning

Where the people of Shelford set the direction and the priorities

Golden Plains Shire Council sponsors the Community Planning program that supports each township to develop and progress their own plans for their own projects. This is independent of and across all our community groups, aiming to build a picture of what is important to Shelford as a whole.

Development of the 2022-26 plan kicked off with extensive community engagement including a social media campaign, a letterdrop, newsletter ads, and an online survey. This generated 45 separate submissions, raising 184 individual ideas, which consolidated into 43 possible projects.

A session at the Cricket Club was attended by 32 people who discussed the project ideas and voted for those they favoured most. Then 19 locals nominated to help on specific projects. The projects that attracted both votes and active volunteers became the top priorities.

When the plan was finalised it was endorsed by Golden Plains who provided $10,000 in seed funding that can be used to deliver small projects or kick-start the larger ones. The plan then becomes a blueprint for coming years and is a valuable tool when advocating or seeking additional funding. Golden Plains has links with a Grant Finder service where anyone can register to gain access to information on and to apply for available grants.

Read the full plan - Shelford Community Plan 2022-2026

or the summary version - Shelford Community Plan Snapshot

In the next few years the process will start again, to create a refreshed Plan that continues to capture the views and priorities of Shelford residents. So have a think about the things you would like to see in the next plan. In the meantime, if you have any questions or want to get involved in the planning process or any specific project email shelfordprogress@gmail.com.

Pick a label to learn more about some of the Community Plan projects.

Priority number 4 on the Plan - Improvements on the Common.

Project elements include: additional picnic tables, seating at points along the river, a feature sculpture, and tree plantings on the common south of the bridge.

Starting with seed funding, a successful application to the Victorian Government's Tiny Towns grant made this project fully funded.

Leigh Valley Lions Club is engaged to build and install the seats, keeping funds in our community groups.

The 2022-26 Plan's No 1 priority, to rejuvenate the Community Hall, has progressed extremely well.

The Hall committee put in a huge amount of work to advocate for and secure funding from DEECA, Golden Plains, and Berrybank to undertake significant safety and restoration work. This followed a period where the Hall was closed due to structural issues. Electrical and drainage work will further improve the safety and security of this great asset.

Due to significant funding from other sources, no seed funding has been allocated to this project. However as smaller pieces of work are undertaken to reactivate the space seed funding might be allocated.

The Hall is now reopened and ready for private and community bookings.

The idea to "eradicate weed species from the riverbanks" was number 16 on the vote count, but passionate support and outside funding means this project is going ahead.

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) is undertaking a major program to protect and enhance river banks through weed removal and revegitation. The Green Links program includes a stretch of river along the Shelford Common and will run for three years. The work will be carried out by the CCMA in coordination with the Recreation Reserve committee.

Revegetation planting days and ongoing maintenance work will be undertaken by volunteer working bees and supported by the Geelong Landcare Network.

1,100 trees/scrubs/grasses were planted in August 2025, with around 30 locals volunteering their time. More opportunities will come.

The Town Entrances project was voted in as priority number 14. As the idea has a few keen supporters and is definitely achievable, it was allocated seed funding of $2000 to cover permits and other costs that might be needed to get things underway.

Initial talks have aimed at the design, construction and installation of two uniquely Shelford creations at the east and west entrances to the township.

Once final approvals are received and costs are known the additional funding will be secured - from the Progress Association and/or grant opportunities.

Some projects aren't funded by the community, but take a great deal of time, effort, passion and perseverence.

The 2014 Community Plan had a priority to "Push for the improvement of telecommunications in the township".

One inspiring individual undertook an untiring campaign of advocacy involving petitions, phone calls, and meetings across all levels of government.

All that work paid off in 2024 when a Telstra mobile tower was installed just 2km West of the township delivering service up to 5G for Telstra customers (and customers of the smaller companies that use that network).

Not only do residents benefit, but the improved coverage supports the Duck Race, as it allows stallholders to offer EFTPOS and allows patrons to spend money.

Completion of this project has been a huge win for Shelford.

The Shelford Community Garden originally blossomed from the 2014-17 plan.

Its story shows what can be achieved with an idea, someone with passion, and some keen supporters. One person had the idea for a community garden and started asking how it might come about. An upcoming community plan session was the perfect opportunity, where they raised the idea and passionately described their vision. It worked, with the project getting heaps of votes and a number of people signing up to help. Some funding was needed, but the volunteer working bees are what really made it happen.

Although the garden activity fell away for a short time, the bones remained and when interest resurfaced the garden quickly became productive again. Its continued success and popular support resulted in priority number 11 in the 2022-26 plan being "improve, reinvigorate and establish a working group for the garden".

$1000 from the seed funding was used to purchase tools, equipment and material to make it easy for anyone to get involved. Other grants were secured for specific projects.

Ensuring the AED Defibrillator remains available and reliable was priority number 8.

This project has been completed.

Actions involved:

Agreeing who is responsible for ongoing maintenance and costs. The Progress Association has picked up this role.
Replacing expired parts (battery, pads).
Relocating the AED from inside the cricket clubrooms to outside on the veranda, so it is publicly accessible.
Purchasing and mounting a weather-proof cabinet to make the AED highly visible.

Here, in no particular order, is a list of some completed projects that came from previous Community Plans:

Establish a community garden
Upgrade/resurface tennis court.
Add a basketball/netball court (posts and markings) at the tennis courts.
Improve mobile coverage / telecommunications - see separate tab
Enhanse the Postal Hub, including additional PO Boxes.
Continue to support the Duck Race.
Upgrade the 'What's On' sign.
Install a windbreak around the gazebo BBQs.
Resurface the synthetic cricket pitch.
Tree planting.

The Cricket Clubroom (or pavilion) is an important community asset.

Plans are being prepared on how this building could be expanded and improved to better serve as a sporting facility and a general activity hub. Plans are likley to include: increased open space, commercial-style kitchen, and most importantly real changeroom facilities.

This sits as priority number 5 on the Plan and is included in the Recreation Reverse Precinct Plan.

To find out more about the plan or to get involved in any way please email shelfordprogress@gmail.com