Over the past 30 years, Murchison's population has decreased to around 490 people but is predicted to rise again over the next 10 to 20 years. The Murchison town centre serves a wide rural catchment and passing traffic on SH6.
Murchison is surrounded by a range of productive land uses including large dairy farms. The development of the town is constrained on two sides by major rivers and Neds Creek flows through the town.
- As Murchison grows and changes, there is a risk that it will:
- Lack sufficient reserve, recreation and community facilities
- Lose internal connectivity
- Lose its distinctive sense of place, identity, and character.
- Land currently zoned for commercial use is all taken up.
- In the town centre, neighbouring activities that are not compatible are located next to one another e.g. café and transport depot, museum and engineering workshop.
- There is a shortage of houses, and the range of housing choice in town and the surrounding area is limited.
- Parts of Murchison are vulnerable to flooding.
- Consolidate commercial activities southwards to the playground on Fairfax Street, and on Hampden Street (to No. 5 Hampden Street restrooms owned by Council).
- Implement the Future Development Strategy which provides for additional residential, commercial and light industrial land.
- Cluster industrial activities on the periphery of the town, or where potential cross-boundary effects with sensitive or residential activities are minimised.
- Maximise the opportunities to increase housing supply and choice, with active connections (walking and cycling) to the town centre, and greenspaces.