Amendment C164macr - Clarkefield development proposal
Council has advocated to the Victorian Government on a consultation process it is leading, proposing significant development to the town of Clarkefield.
At the February 2026 Council Meeting, a Notice of Motion was endorsed seeking that Council:
- Acknowledges receipt of correspondence from the Executive Director, State Planning Assessment and Facilitation dated 22/11/2024 regarding the Development Facilitation Program – Clarkefield Growth Area, where Council is advised that the Minister for Planning has considered and determined a request from ADP Projects that she become the planning authority for this amendment.
- Requests the Minister for Planning to communicate the proposal for Clarkefield for the development of 2000+ lots with the public, due to the importance of the community having the opportunity to understand and provide feedback on the scale and detail of a new township proposed within our Shire, and how it might affect our township amenity and rural character and align with the Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy's shire-wide approach to managing growth.
A proposed planning scheme amendment and planning permit application relating to this proposed development was exhibited by the Department of Transport and Planning for feedback on the State Government's Engage Victoria website and closed on 1 June 2026.
Council prepared its own preliminary written submission to the proposal and at the 17 June 2026 Council Meeting Council resolved:
That Council notes the preliminary submission made to Engage Victoria regarding Amendment C164macr - Clarkefield Township Development and acknowledges a more detailed Council submission will be presented to the 22 July 2026 Council Meeting.
A copy of the 1 June 2026 submission is provided below. The second submission was considered at the 22 July 2026 Council Meeting where Council resolved to:
- Endorse the second written submission to Amendment C164macr - Clarkefield Township Development.
- Lodge the second written submission to Amendment C164macr - Clarkefield Township Development with the Minister for Planning and request the Minister to accept the late submission.
- Lodge any further submission material with the Minister for Planning arising from any Council-led further review of key C164macr - Clarkefield Township Development technical documents.
The Councillor endorsed second written submission to Amendment C164macr - Clarkefield Township Development was sent to the Minister for Planning on 24 July 2026. A copy of the submission is provided below.
Community Toolkit
Council has developed a Community Advocacy Toolkit to help residents and community groups understand the proposed Clarkefield Township Development and participate effectively in the planning process. The toolkit outlines key issues relating to Amendment C164, Council's advocacy position, opportunities for community participation, and practical ways to share local knowledge and lived experience with decision-makers.
The toolkit provides practical guidance on:
- Understanding the Clarkefield development proposal and planning process
- Preparing informed submissions and correspondence
- Communicating with decision-makers and stakeholders
- Sharing local knowledge, lived experience and community priorities
- Accessing key information, resources and advocacy materials
The toolkit is designed to help community members participate thoughtfully, respectfully and constructively in discussions about the proposed Clarkefield development, regardless of their view on the proposal.
Download the Community Advocacy Toolkit(PDF, 5MB)
Past Correspondence
24 July 2026 - Councillor Endorsed Second Submission to DTP(PDF, 8MB): This second submission from Macedon Ranges Shire Councillors provides a further detailed review of proposed Amendment C164mac and associated Planning Permit application PA2604339.
23 July 2026 - Response letter to Council from the Hon. Ben Carroll MP, Minister for Education(PDF, 103KB): This letter, sent to Council in response from The Hon. Ben Carroll MP (Minister for Education), acknowledges Council's earlier letter to Mr Tony Bates, Secretary Department of Education, regarding secondary school provision in the Macedon Ranges and advises that no sites have been identified in the Macedon Ranges for a future secondary school site, and that a school has been identified in Sunbury which would service the nearby growing population of Clarkefield.
1 June 2026 - Preliminary Officer Submission to DTP(PDF, 6MB): This preliminary submission from Macedon Ranges Shire Council officers provides an initial review of proposed Amendment C164macr and associated Planning Permit application PA2604339.
1 May 2026 - Letter to Council from DTP Draft Amendment C164macr consultation(PDF, 280KB): This letter, to Council from the Department of Transport and Planning, confirms the consultation for the proposed Clarkefield development and invites public feedback.
1 April 2026 - Letter to Council from the Hon Sonya Kilkenny MP in response to Clarkefield development letter(PDF, 74KB): This letter, sent to Council in response from The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP (Minister for Planning), acknowledges Council's earlier letter based on its Notice of Motion, and confirms that full public consultation would occur on a draft planning scheme amendment and combined planning permit application before any decisions were made.