Council reviewing rural residential land developmentAn identified oversupply of rural residential zoned land is the subject of a rural living study being undertaken by Latrobe City Council... By Latrobe City Council - 3rd October 2001 - Back to News An identified oversupply of rural residential zoned land is the subject of a rural living study being undertaken by Latrobe City Council.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said that preliminary research results had shown that there was an oversupply of rural residential land across the whole municipality. "However, the available land which makes up that supply is not in those locations where people want to live," Cr Jenkins said.
"The problem for Council is that State Government legislation restricts Council from releasing further areas of land because there is already an overall over-supply. By identifying areas for future rural residential development, and areas which would be better rezoned as farmland, a structurally better plan can be developed for Latrobe’s future," Cr Jenkins explained.
Councillor Jenkins said submissions had been sought and received from the community which together with work undertaken by Council’s consultants, Fisher Stewart, would form a draft report anticipated to be prepared by early November. "This report will review rural living policy as it relates to the La Trobe Planning Scheme and recommend zoning or policy changes," Cr Jenkins said.
"In particular the rural living policy will establish strategic criteria for the future location of this type of residential development. This will take into consideration factors such as whether there is available and adequate infrastructure for example, whether the land is accessible to facilities and services, and an assessment whether development may have an adverse affect on high quality agricultural land or farming activities," Cr Jenkins said.
"Apart from servicing rural residential areas, the other unique factor for Latrobe City is the need to plan for the future use of the coal resource. Council is working closely with the State Government to see that a balance is achieved in land use planning so that the municipality’s economic expansion and options for quality lifestyle living remain sustainable," Cr Jenkins added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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