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Rural Conservation Zone Frequently Asked Questions.

By Baw Baw Shire Council - 19th April 2007 - Back to News

Why rezone to rural conservation?

Areas proposed for rezoning to rural conservation have been identified as environmentally significant. Council wants to protect and conserve environmental values including water catchment areas and native vegetation, which has a higher conservation status.

My farm is in an area which council is proposing to rezone to the rural conservation zone, what does that mean to my business?

If you are currently using the land for agricultural purposes or timber production then you can continue as normal. If you don’t currently use the land for either of these purposes but would like to, you will require a planning permit.

What if I want to put a house on a section of my property?

Under the farming zone, you can place houses on lots of over 40ha without a permit and properties under 40ha are subject to a permit. Where a permit is required, you must demonstrate that the house is required for the operation of agricultural activity on the land.

In the rural conservation zone a permit for a house is required on any size lot, but no association is necessary with the operation of agricultural activity on the land.

I’d like to subdivide my land in the new conservation zone, can I?

The requirements under the farming zone and rural conservation zone are the same. The lot sizes must be a minimum of 40ha

I own two properties next to each other and I’d like to re-subdivide.

As in the farming zone, the rural conservation zone allows re-subdivision providing that no additional lot is created. Therefore if you would like to move the boundary between your 20 ha property and 30 ha property to 40ha and 10ha you are allowed under both zonings.

What about if I want to excise a house on my property?

Under the rural conservation zone, excision is not permitted.

What can’t I do on my property that I was previously allowed?

Additional prohibited uses of properties in the rural conservation zone include animal boarding, broiler farms, cattle feedlot, cemetery, crematorium, intensive animal farming, leisure and recreation, manufacturing sales, a place of assembly, rice growing, abattoir, sawmill, saleyard and store.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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