TOWRANG has shrunk in size and the locals aren’t happy.

At least that’s the case on council planning maps, which is no small fact for people who believe demand is still ripe for small lot residential development in the village.

Towrang Community Progress Group president Roger Curvey told a recent council meeting that proposed changes would reduce the village’s size by 60 per cent.

“The existing village is generally accepted as from the 50km/h to 50km/h signs, and has been for many years, but the planning proposals only shows 12 lots, of which five are currently residential and four of the remainder have the church, park, the RFS shed and the community hall on them,” he wrote in a submission.

He called on Council to restore the village zone, allowing residential subdivision in the whole area, rather than just the southeast.

Another resident, Robert Taylor told councillors the village in his day was a thriving place with a wool scour, clay pit for brickworks and orchards.

“But apparently in 2011 it is smaller,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure the people who sweated and went off to war to make Towrang great would be pretty disappointed.”

He urged planners to reinstate the village zone between the 50km/h speed zones, a 1km distance.

Council planners revised the zone to create a 250-metre buffer between the rail corridor and houses, partly due to vibration effects from trains.

This was a state government requirement that also affects other villages in Goulburn Mulwaree.

While it doesn’t restrict building, it limits the types of houses that can be constructed near the rail line. But Mr Taylor said with an ageing population and the school now closed, small lot residential development was an ideal way to encourage growth.

The council has listened. It will lodge a separate amendment to its planning laws with the state government.

In the meantime, council planners and the community will draw lines on maps in an effort to reach agreement.

For the full story, please see the print edition of Friday's Goulburn Post, available from our Auburn Street office and from newsagencies across the region.