Following extensive community consultation, Council has adopted the Green Wedge Management Plan (GWMP) at tonight’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
The new plan will provide direction for the management of the green wedge over the next decade. It includes a vision, principles, goals, objectives and key actions.
Preparation of the plan has been informed by extensive community engagement over the past 18 months including an independent panel to provide recommendations to Council.
Council received 746 submissions in response to the draft GWMP during the six-week community consultation period from 1 July to 11 August 2019. Council’s Future Nillumbik Committee also heard 80 verbal submissions on 10 and 11 September.
The plan was further revised in response to the feedback received from the community.
Nillumbik Mayor Karen Egan said Council appreciated the feedback and had listened to what the community had to say.
“While there have been divergent views on how the green wedge should be managed, one thing is clear – our community is passionate about this unique landscape in which we live, work and visit,” Cr Egan said.
Council made a commitment to review the 2010-2025 Nillumbik Green Wedge Management Plan when it was elected in 2016.
Nillumbik’s green wedge is one of 12 across Melbourne and covers 91 per cent of the Shire. Land uses include conservation, agriculture, rural living and tourism.
Now that the GWMP has been adopted, annual implementation plans will be prepared. Priorities will be determined every four years through the Council Plan and prior to the four-yearly review of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.
