Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Ventnor Decision Back In The SpotlightIn September 2011, the Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, announced he had decided not to rezone 23 hectares of pristine Ventnor farming land for residential development. By Bass Coast - 24th January 2012 - Back to News That decision is once again in the spotlight, due to Supreme Court action against the State Government by the owner of the land.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Dowman said this legal action did not affect the zoning of the land and did not involve Bass Coast Shire Council.
"I am not privy to any alleged conversations or agreements between the Minister for Planning and Ms Nicholls, as reported in The Age today," said Cr Dowman.
"However, I do know that last September, Council lobbied strongly to get the Minister to reverse his decision. We met with the Minister and his advisors. I had several frank telephone conversations with Minister Guy and members of his staff as well. I believe that our community and Council presented a strong, persistent, evidence based case which persuaded the Minister to reconsider his decision.
"Council fully supports Minister Guy’s decision not to rezone this land, as it is in line with our own Planning Scheme and Structure Plan. His original decision to rezone was not supported by Council or the community. We were thrilled when that decision was reversed. That land is in a farming zone and I want to assure our community that this has not changed."
Background to Ventnor
The Cowes Ventnor Silverleaves Structure Plan, which sets the Ventnor town boundary, was adopted in 2008 and involved almost ten years of work with the community.
Ventnor is a little hamlet, with a very low level of infrastructure and services. The area in question is also of environmental significance, so it was not considered appropriate for further development.
As part of the campaign to have the rezoning decision reversed, Bass Coast Shire Council actions included:
- Meeting with the Minister for Planning on 15 September 2011
- Writing to the Minister on 19 September, acknowledging the meeting and formally requesting that he not rezone the land
- Passing a motion at the Council Meeting on 22 September, calling on the Minister to revoke the decision. A letter was sent that day, informing him of the motion
- Numerous conversations between the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer with members of the Minister’s staff and the Minister himself, lobbying to have the decision reversed
- A strong media campaign, in partnership with the local community, to draw attention to the issue
The Minister announced he was reversing the decision to rezone the land on 23 September 2011.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Bass Coast Shire Council seeks feedback on new waste charge proposal with various session dates in September and feedback closing on 21 October 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council is consulting on a proposed waste charge for all rateable properties, aiming to fairly share costs and improve transparency around community waste services. - Productivity Commission backs Peri Urban Councils' call for infrastructure before housing targets across Victoria
The Productivity Commission has backed Peri Urban Councils Victoria's call to link housing targets with funded infrastructure, supporting development, coordinated planning and financing for 85,450 new homes across five Victorian growth councils. - Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on proposed planning amendment updating flood maps across several towns by 29 January 2027
Baw Baw Shire Council is seeking submissions on proposed flood mapping updates affecting 1,438 additional properties, with changes covering Warragul, Yarragon, Trafalgar and surrounding communities. Submissions close January 29, 2027. - Darren Chester and Gemma Rendell back Lakes Entrance Recreation Centre and celebrate rural women’s contributions to East Gippsland
Darren Chester and Gemma Rendell back a proposed three-court recreation centre in Lakes Entrance, while Chester celebrates rural women’s contributions and supports Rendell’s campaign ahead of November’s state election. - Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on first draft Events Strategy for future events from 27 August to 16 September 2026
Baw Baw Shire is inviting residents, event organisers and local businesses to comment on its first draft Events Strategy, open on Baw Baw Connect from August 27 to September 16, helping shape future event planning across the Shire. - Coalition urges Labor to block foreign-backed Cobungra Station sale and protect productive farmland from carbon projects
The Coalition has urged Treasurer Jim Chalmers and FIRB to reject the proposed foreign-backed purchase of Cobungra Station, warning productive farmland should remain dedicated to food production, not carbon projects. - Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community feedback to shape safer roads through New Road Safety Strategy Plan until 10 September 2026
Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting residents to help shape its new Road Safety Strategy through community workshops and an online survey, aiming to reduce crashes and improve safety for all road users across the shire. - Wellington Shire Council updates flood mapping to improve safety, planning, climate resilience and development decisions across the municipality
Wellington Shire Council is updating flood mapping and planning controls, incorporating climate impacts, to improve safety, guide development and manage flood risks. Public submissions close 2 November 2026. - Darren Chester urges federal government to restore wild dog funding, backing farmers' calls for national management certainty
Shadow Minister Darren Chester is urging the federal government to restore national wild dog funding, warning of $302 million annual agricultural losses and significant impacts on farmers, wildlife and regional communities. - Latrobe City Council records strongest planning performance, leads Victoria in statutory decision timeframes
Latrobe City Council has achieved its strongest planning performance, with 95.44 percent of applications decided within statutory timeframes following streamlined delegation reforms introduced in May 2025. - Baw Baw Employment Expo returns this September to connect job seekers with local employers and training providers
Baw Baw Employment Expo returns September 30, connecting job seekers with local employers, vacancies and training providers. The free event also offers resume support, networking opportunities, industry insights, coffee vouchers and lunch. - Councils begin planning for renewable energy growth across Wellington and South Gippsland communities
Wellington and South Gippsland councils have begun a major renewable energy planning project, backed by $4.7 million, to prepare communities for future growth through housing, infrastructure, employment, services and economic development. - Have your say on the Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip - Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (Revised) to unlock growth until 21 September 2026
East Gippsland Shire Council is simplifying planning controls in Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area, aiming to unlock housing growth, reduce red tape and support development over the next 30-plus years. - Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill support through September pop-ups across Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin
Gippsland Water will host September pop-ups across the region, offering customers face-to-face help with bills, payment plans, concessions and government assistance amid cost-of-living pressures, with events in Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin. - East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool. - Matthew Canavan welcomes Commonwealth Bank branch extension, calls for stronger government action to protect regional banking services
Nationals leader Matt Canavan welcomed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to keep 281 regional branches open until 2030, while urging the Government to protect banking access and rebuild services lost elsewhere. - Baw Baw Shire Council launches the return of Gippy Girls Can in September with something for every woman
Gippy Girls Can returns across Baw Baw in September, offering women and girls welcoming, beginner-friendly and affordable opportunities to try new activities, get active and connect. - Berninneit Gallery celebrates 'Forests Through Hoa Nguyen Immersive Art Exhibition' from 12 September to 25 October 2026
Berninneit Art Gallery presents Becoming the Forest, featuring three large-scale drawings by Hoa Nguyen celebrating Bass Coast forests. The exhibition opens September 12, with a Living Earth Gathering on October 3. - Darren Chester calls for Aged Care Minister's resignation over home support delays
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for Aged Care Minister Sam Rae's resignation, citing lengthy Support at Home delays, unanswered assistance requests and thousands of deaths while awaiting support.
|
|
