Shaping the Future of Bagdad-Mangalore: Draft Structure Plan on Exhibition Now
Southern Midlands Council has released its Draft Bagdad–Mangalore Structure Plan for community feedback. This long‑term planning document charts a 30-year vision for the valley, located just north of Hobart, Tasmania.
Jensen PLUS has been working with the Council and Bagdad–Mangalore community since 2024 to prepare the plan, including a successful Co-Design workshop in February this year.
Highlights of the Draft Plan
- Consolidated growth: Directs new housing into larger villages at Bagdad and Mangalore, promoting walkable neighbourhoods and avoiding ribbon development along the highway.
- Housing diversity: Encourages a variety of lot sizes - including smaller, energy‑efficient village lots and rural living zones - to cater for families, retirees, and first‑home buyers.
- Agricultural protection: Prioritises prime farmland and rural vistas, with zoning tools and overlays to safeguard productive land and landscape features.
- Connectivity upgrades: Proposes enhanced walking, cycling, and horse‑riding links between villages and to community hubs.
- Community infrastructure: Supports new community uses, public space improvements, and amenity upgrades at key locations like the Bagdad Community Club.
- Heritage + environment: Celebrates heritage precincts like the “Heritage Mile” and skyline/native vegetation overlays to maintain rural character.
- Urban design concepts for local shops and public realm enhancements to streetscapes and public spaces, including village centre of Bagdad.
Exhibition of the draft plan is on now until 18th August 2025. Michael McKeown and Pat Iwanyshyn from the Jensen PLUS team will be visiting the study area soon for a community drop-in session on Wednesday 30 July 2025.
For more details and to access the draft plan and online survey, visit the Bagdad-Mangalore Structure Plan Project page on the Southern Midlands Council website.
Let your voice help shape the future of Bagdad and Mangalore!
