Council seeks feedback on local landscapes

Council seeks feedback on local landscapes

Published on 23 October 2018

Council is encouraging residents to have their say on the draft Landscape Assessment Study, which identifies landscapes of significance within the shire.

Following extensive community consultation, Council is proposing to apply new controls in the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme which aim to protect and manage landscapes of visual significance.

The draft study recommends a number changes to the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme, including the introduction of:

schedules to the Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO), and the revision of existing schedules in locations where they currently apply a new local planning policy to address the management of views available from particular road corridors a new schedule to the Rural Conservation Zone to introduce additional conservation values to apply to highly valued and notable views available from the road corridors that dissect the ‘Newham Rises’ landscape area between the Macedon and Cobaw Ranges, and from the roads between Gisborne and Riddells Creek looking north.

Council’s Director Planning and Environment, Angela Hughes said the proposed changes to the planning scheme will provide Council with the tools to better manage our highly valued landscapes.

“In February this year we asked the community to tell us which landscapes held the most significance for them and why,” she said.

“We had a great response, with submissions from the community, key agencies and government bodies. 

“Based on this feedback, we’ve been able to identify where our most valued landscapes are, and are now focused on managing the impact of development within them.”

Have your say

View the study and recommendations online, at a Council service centre, or come along to one of the following community drop-in sessions:

Wednesday 31 October, 3–5pm, Kyneton Mechanics Institute, 81 Mollison Street, Kyneton Wednesday 14 November, 5–7.30pm, Gisborne Administration Centre, 40 Robertson Street, Gisborne.

Residents can also have their say on the proposed controls by viewing an interactive map that will be available at your say.

“We’re interested in finding out whether we got this right”, said Ms Hughes.

“Particularly, we’d like to know whether residents agree with the proposed SLO boundaries, the statements that outline the significance of each landscape, and whether more types of development should be exempt from requiring a permit under the SLO.”

For more information about the draft Landscape Assessment Study, call Liz Jardine on (03) 5421 9684 or visit your say