On Tuesday night council will consider its submission to the state government’s draft Statement of Planning Policy and proposed landscape controls as part of the Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes project.
The Surf Coast Shire was declared a Distinctive Area and Landscape in September 2019. The objective of the state government project is to ensure long-term protection of the declared area’s unique coastal environments, cultural heritage, natural resources and townships.
The project is consistent with council’s Council Plan objectives of determining more permanent settlement boundaries for Torquay and environmental leadership.
Council is not a partner in the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes project but is described as a responsible public entity, which will be required to endorse the final Statement of Planning Policy and have regard to it in all decision making in the future.
Council’s draft submission, which will be considered at Tuesday night’s meeting, states that the Statement of Planning Policy is generally supported but areas for improvement have been identified. You can view the draft submission, as part of the Council meeting agenda, at www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/councilmeetings.
The final decision on the Statement of Planning Policy and Planning Scheme Amendment C114 for the Spring Creek Precinct Structure Plan rests with the state government, which has provided the opportunity for the community to state their opinion after the land was rezoned and remained in the Urban Growth Zone since 2014.
General Manager Environment and Development Ransce Salan encouraged the community to have their say on the Surf Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscapes project.
“This is an issue that many locals feel passionately about, so we encourage the community to have a look at the draft Statement of Planning Policy and reports, and provide feedback by 4pm on Friday 22 January,” he said.
