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Panel Hearing In CowesProtecting vegetation on Phillip Island and future development, including town boundaries of Phillip Island, San Remo and Inverloch were the focus of Panel Hearings in Cowes last week. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 6th June 2007 - Back to News The three days of panel hearings were the result of a Council decision in November 2006, where the Council voted to refer submissions on proposed changes to the Bass Coast Planning Scheme (officially known as Amendment C46) to an independent panel.
The Independent Panel, set by the Minister for Planning, consisted of two people who are independent of the issues involved and who are experts in the field of planning.
The Panel heard 19 submissions from local community and environmental groups, local residents and developers. A further 14 submissions were considered by the Panel, but were not represented in person.
Approximately half of the presentations at the Panel Hearing related to vegetation protection. The remainder concerned Bass Coast’s design frameworks or proposed boundaries for the townships of Phillip Island, San Remo and Inverloch.
Council’s Strategic Planning Coordinator, Lisa Dunlop said the Panel process was important to ensure that there was an independent review of all the issues involved in such complex changes to the Planning Scheme.
"These changes will ensure that there are some clear strategies and guidelines for development on Phillip Island and in San Remo and Inverloch," said Ms Dunlop.
"This will improve on the policies already in the planning scheme and assist the Council in making decisions on planning applications.
"It is important that they incorporated into the Bass Coast Planning Scheme to give them more weight when the Council is making decisions," explained Ms Dunlop.
The Design Frameworks were put together after extensive community consultation and were adopted by the Council in 2003. The current process will see them formally incorporated into the Bass Coast Planning Scheme.
"We developed the Design Frameworks for Phillip Island and San Remo and for Inverloch in response to community concerns about inappropriate development occurring in the areas," Ms Dunlop said.
"This is an important project for us because it is the implementation of several years of strategic work and helps to set the picture for future developments in these areas.
"Hopefully these amendments will also help increase the efficiency of the planning department," continued Ms Dunlop.
"For example, the changes to vegetation protection will ensure that we are not dealing with unnecessary planning permits (for example permits for weed species) so that resources can be better utilised within the planning department."
The Panel is expected to report on the submissions, with recommendations to the Council in two months time.
The Council will then make a decision, with the final approval resting with the Minister for Planning.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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