Have your say on Baw Baw Planning Scheme Amendment – C139

Have your say on Baw Baw Planning Scheme Amendment – C139

Published on 31 August 2020

An amendment to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme is currently on exhibition and local community members are invited to have their say.

The amendment implements the outcomes of two projects that have been developed by Baw Baw Shire Council in collaboration with the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP); the Planning Policy Framework (PPF) Translation and Planning in the Economic Growth Zone (PEGZ).

The proposed amendment facilitated by these two projects seeks to improve the planning system, making it more efficient and accessible for all users.

Planning Policy Framework (PPF) Translation

The PPF translation is part of DELWP’s Smart Planning reform initiatives that will translate and integrate planning schemes for all Victorian Councils, improving the operation of planning policy by better aligning State, Regional and Local Policy. By translating the existing Local Planning Policy Framework (LPPF) to the new integrated PPF and Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) in collaboration with Baw Baw Shire Council, the Smart Planning Program aims to review the LPPF content, while retaining key local issues and strategic directions for Baw Baw Shire. 

The result of the PPF Translation will be that 50-60 per cent of the local policy content will be reduced; however, the aim is that there will be no loss of policy direction and that the State, Regional and Local planning policies will all be integrated.

Planning in the Economic Growth Zone (PEGZ)

PEGZ is a three-year pilot project that has been funded by DELWP that seeks to improve the planning system and ensure that development and investment can progress in a streamlined manner with greater certainty across three Council areas in the Latrobe Valley region - Baw Baw Shire, Latrobe City and Wellington Shire.

As a part of this project, the zone and overlay schedules of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme have been reviewed with the aim of strengthening local policy. The PEGZ project has included the following work that has resulted in the proposed changes to the Baw Baw planning scheme:

Strengthening economic policies within the Local Planning Policy Framework. Settlement Policy Review, including the review of the local planning policy Structure Plans. Zone and Overlay Schedules Review to reduce low risk permit triggers and improve the form and content of zone and overlay schedules. Erosion Management Overlay Review to introduce new permit exemptions. Flooding Controls Review to introduce new permit exemptions. Commercial and Industrial Design and Development Overlays Review.

Both proposed amendments are supported by technical studies where required (Erosion Management Overlay review Cl 44.01) and engagement with referral authorities (Land Subject to Inundation Overlay Cl 44.04 and Floodway Overlay Cl 44.03).

Have your say

The proposed Amendment C139 to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme is now on public exhibition. Community members are encouraged to review the proposed amendments and provide feedback.

Please refer to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme Amendment documents available at www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay or on the DELWP website.

For full project details please go to www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/HaveYourSay 

This consultation opportunity is open until 20 September 2020.

To ensure that the planning authority considers your submission, it should receive it by the above mentioned date. If the planning authority does not agree to change the amendment as requested in your submission, the Minister for Planning will appoint an independent Panel to consider the matter. All submitters will be given an opportunity to be heard by the Panel.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“I encourage interested community members to take some time over the next month to review the proposed amendment documents and provide feedback. An explanatory report is available on the Council website that provides a detailed summary of the intention of the amendment and the development process.”