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Rural Zones Translate For Bass CoastBass Coast Shire Council has been advised by the Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls, that the new Farming Zone will become active as of today. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 13th July 2006 - Back to News Existing rural zones in the Bass Coast Planning Scheme will now be replaced with the new Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone and Rural Conservation Zone.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden, said that Council had cooperated with the State Government in the introduction of the new Farming Zone.
"However, of more immediate interest to the community is the Minister’s decision in relation to an application currently before Council, to develop major tourism facilities at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
"The Council had requested that a portion of the land adjacent to the Grand Prix circuit should be zoned Rural Activity, to allow continued operation of the current camping and car parking arrangements associated with the Grand Prix.
"The State Government’s rezoning of land adjacent to the Grand Prix Circuit went beyond the request by Council, said Mr Bawden.
"Council is shocked that the Minister decided to rezone all the adjacent land as Rural Activity."
"The accompanying Incorporated Plan clearly indicates that the current proposal for a tourist facility and golf course is something that can be considered in this area."
Mr Bawden said that the decision appeared to fly in the face of the Government’s Coastal Spaces Initiative, released in April 2006, which was aimed at limiting development on Victoria’s coastline.
"We certainly respect Minister Hull’s right to make this decision, which he is entitled to do as a Minister of the Crown," said Mr Bawden.
"But the decision is disappointing, given that the Council had asked for a more conservative approach to the issue.
"Despite the rezoning, the Minister made it clear that he still expects the Council to make the final decision in relation to the application for the development of 506 villas and a golf course adjacent to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit," confirmed Mr Bawden.
The application is due to be considered by Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday 16 August. The meeting will be held at the Civic Centre in Wonthaggi and commences at 7pm.
The new farm zones are now incorporated into the Bass Coast Planning Scheme, via Amendment C58. These include:
· Translation of the Rural Zone to the Farming Zone;
· Translation of the Environmental Rural Zone to the the Rural Conservation Zone; and
· Introduction of a Rural Activity Zone.
Mr Bawden reiterated that the new zones won’t have a significant impact on the majority of rural land owners.
"But there will be a serious impact on people applying to do non-rural activities in rural zones, such as tourism related ventures," said Mr Bawden.
"A number of tourism and leisure related projects currently being discussed may not be able to be considered in the new Farm Zone."
Mr Bawden also advised that Council was trying to secure State Government support to develop a Rural Strategy.
The Strategy would provide guidelines for where Council might apply the more flexible Rural Activity Zone, which would then allow consideration of tourism and leisure projects in appropriate areas.
"Any land owners with concerns about how the zones will affect them should contact Council’s planning department," advised Mr Bawden.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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