What is proposed by this Planning Scheme Amendment?
Council is proposing to make changes to the Moyne Planning Scheme to update the planning policy framework and planning controls. These changes will guide the use and development of agricultural land, rural living development, and the growth and development of the Shire's smaller settlements.
There are changes proposed to planning policy, the zoning of land in designated areas, and minimum lot sizes in designated areas within the Farming Zone.
It is proposed to rezone land to the Rural Living Zone at Grassmere, Hawkesdale, Illowa, Koroit (west and south west), Southern Cross, and Woolsthorpe.
In addition, Council is seeking to change minimum lot sizes in the Farming Zone to promote lifestyle farming at Bushfield, and between Koroit and Kirkstall to facilitate small-scale agricultural pursuits.
While it is proposed to change the zoning of some land, zoning changes do not require the existing activities on the land to change. There will be existing use rights for any activities, for example, farming, currently occurring on the land.
What is a planning scheme amendment?
A planning scheme amendment is the mechanism to change the Planning Scheme, for example, to reflect new circumstances, or achieve new planning objectives. Amendments can include changes to zones, overlays and planning policies. As this process makes changes to a legal document, planning scheme amendments must follow a process set out in the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Prior to the public exhibition of an amendment, a council must obtain authorisation to proceed with its preparation from the Minister for Planning.
An amendment has to be approved by the Minister and a notice of approval published in the Victoria Government Gazette before it becomes part of the planning scheme.
What is the basis of the Amendment?
This planning scheme amendment seeks to update the Moyne Planning Scheme, particularly the Planning Policy Framework, to reflect the recommendations of three adopted Council strategies:
- Rural Housing and Settlement Strategy (2010);
- Land Capability and Biodiversity Strategy (2009); and
- Addendum Report to both Strategies adopted in September 2015.
The aim of the Strategies was to ensure a coordinated approach to providing land for housing around some of our towns, as well as, continuing to protect the Shire’s valuable agricultural land.
Where is the Amendment proposing to make changes?
Budj Bim National Park Environs
Rezoning private land to the north and east of the Budj Bim National Park from Farming Zone to Rural Conservation Zone Schedule 2, to protect biodiversity values and/or provide a buffer to the National Park. The 40-hectare minimum lot size for this land will be retained.
Garvoc
Rezoning land containing the former hotel, a dwelling and the former Presbyterian Church, from the Farming Zone to the Township Zone.
Grassmere
Rezoning small rural lots within the settlement from the Farming Zone to the Rural Living Zone Schedule 1, which will apply a minimum lot size of one hectare.
Hawkesdale
Rezoning small rural lots on the western side of the town from the Farming Zone to the Rural Living Zone Schedule 1, which will apply a minimum lot size of one hectare.
Koroit, Crossley, Illowa, and Tower Hill
Rezoning small rural lots to the west and south-west of Koroit, on the western side of the Tower Hill State Game Reserve, and within the ‘Dairy Town’ subdivision at Illowa, from the Farming Zone to the Rural Living Zone Schedule 2, which will apply a minimum lot size of two hectares.
Nullawarre
Rezoning land from Rural Living Zone to Farming Zone, and land from Rural Living Zone and Farming Zone to Township Zone.
Purnim
Rezoning land containing the Catholic Church and former Catholic Primary School from the Farming Zone to the Township Zone.
Southern Cross
Rezoning rural lots within the settlement from the Farming Zone to the Rural Living Zone Schedule 2, which will apply a minimum lot size of two hectares.
Survey Lane & Towilla Way, Killarney
Rezoning the small lots in the Survey Lane and Towilla Way subdivision at Killarney from the Farming Zone to the Rural Living Zone Schedule 1, which will apply a minimum lot size of one hectare.
Woolsthorpe
Rezoning small rural lots on the eastern side of the town from the Farming Zone to the Rural Living Zone Schedule 1, which will apply a minimum lot size of one hectare.
Lifestyle farming area – Koroit – Kirkstall, Crossley and Tower Hill
Rezoning land in the proposed ‘lifestyle farming’ area at Koroit – Kirkstall, Crossley and Tower Hill from Farming Zone to Farming Zone Schedule 3, which will reduce the minimum lot size for dwellings from 40 hectares to 10 hectares. The 40-hectare minimum lot size for subdivision will be retained.
Lifestyle farming area – Bushfield, Grassmere and Wangoom
Rezoning land in the proposed ‘lifestyle farming’ area at Bushfield, Grassmere and Wangoom from Farming Zone to Farming Zone Schedule 4, which will reduce the minimum lot size for dwellings and subdivision from 40 hectares to 15 hectares.
Land south of the Princes Highway, between Rocks Road and to the east of Gormans Road, Killarney and Tower Hill
Increasing the minimum lot size for dwellings and subdivision from ten hectares to 40 hectares within the Farming Zone south of the Princes Highway, between Rocks Road and to the east of Gormans Road, at Killarney and Tower Hill.
All settlements
Introducing new strategic directions, planning policy and framework plans to define settlement boundaries for a number of settlements, consistent with the Rural Housing and Settlement Strategy.
How can I view the Amendment Documents and find out more?
The documents are available for viewing on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website www.delwp.vic.gov.au/public-inspection.
You may inspect the Amendment and supporting documents, free of charge, (inspection of documents may be subject to COVID-19 restrictions and requirements), during office hours, at the following places:
Moyne Shire Offices
- Princes Street, Port Fairy 3284
- 1 Jamieson Avenue, Mortlake 3272
Koroit Library
- 102 High Street, Koroit 3282
Book an Individual Consultation Session
Community members are encouraged to speak with Council officers to learn about the Amendment and how to make a written submission.
A 15 or 30 minute individual online (video conference) or in person (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).consultation can be booked with a member of Council’s Strategic Planning team.
Registration is essential for face-to-face sessions to ensure that COVID safe practices are met. We appreciate your assistance to ensure checking in, capacity limits and other COVID safe measures are met.
To request an individual consultation, please contact the Strategic Planning Team via moyne@moyne.vic.gov.au or telephone 1300 656 564.
Appointments with Council officers will be available at the following times:
Wednesday, 6 October, 2021
1pm to 7pm
Hawkesdale CFA Headquarters
72 Dawson Street, Hawkesdale
Thursday, 7 October, 2021
1pm to 7pm
Grassmere Hall
329 Grassmere Road, Grassmere
Wednesday, 13 October, 2021
1pm to 7pm
Nullawarre Hall
2184 Timboon-Nullawarre Road, Nullawarre
Wednesday, 20 October, 2021
1pm to 7pm
Koroit Senior Citizens Centre
102 High Street, Koroit
If you are unable to attend during the above times, but still wish to discuss the Amendment, you can arrange a separate meeting, or speak to a member of the Strategic Planning Team by contacting us on telephone 1300 656 564.
How to Provide Feedback on the Amendment
Any person who may be affected by the Amendment can make a submission to Council. Submissions must be made in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the Amendment is supported or opposed, and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.
Name and contact details of submitters are required for Council to consider submissions, and to notify such persons of the opportunity to attend Council meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions. In accordance with the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Council must make available for inspection a copy of any submissions made in response to the Amendment.
Submissions must be sent to:
- Moyne Shire Council, PO Box 51, PortFairy, 3284
- Or via email to moyne@moyne.vic.gov.au with the Subject Heading -'Amendment C70 Submission'
- Or in person at Princes Street, Port Fairy or 1 Jamieson Ave, Mortlake
The closing date for submissions is Monday, 8 November 2021.
Next steps
Following the public exhibition period, all submissions received in response to Amendment C70 will be reviewed.
Submissions are public documents and Council must consider all submissions received during the exhibition period.
If matters raised in submissions cannot be resolved, Council must decide whether to refer all submissions to a Planning Panel or abandon the Amendment.
If the submissions are referred to a Planning Panel, any person who makes a submission will have the opportunity to present their views in a hearing held by the Panel.
Once the recommendations of the Panel are received, Council must determine whether to adopt or abandon all or part of the Amendment. The Minister for Planning makes the final decision as to whether an adopted Amendment is approved.