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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.

By news@gippsland - 4th September 2026 - Back to News

East Gippsland Shire Council is progressing changes designed to make it easier to develop land in the Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (LENGA), cutting red tape and giving the town a clearer pathway to the housing growth that was earmarked for over a decade ago.

The Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (LENGA) 2014 residential rezoning delivered slow growth, prompting council to simplify complex planning controls and reduce landowner planning burdens

Simplifying housing growth

LENGA was rezoned for housing back in 2014, but growth has been slow under planning controls that were overly complex. Council has now prepared Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip to simplify those controls, support development over the next 30-plus years, and take more of the planning burden off individual landowners.

For the Lakes Entrance community, the proposed changes mean a clearer pathway to more housing in the years ahead. By removing outdated overlays and taking on more of the background planning work itself, Council is aiming to make it simpler and more attractive for landowners to bring their land forward for development while supporting the town's long-term growth.

General Manager of Projects and Planning, Chris Stephenson said the proposed changes could be a great outcome for the community. "We've seen the pace of development over the years, and these proposed changes peel back some of the complex planning controls, which will allow landowners to develop much more easily," Mr Stephenson said.

Planning changes proposal

The key changes include:

• Removing two outdated overlays - the Development Contributions Plan Overlay and the Native Vegetation Precinct Plan - from land within the LENGA
• Simplifying the Development Plan Overlay Schedule 8, and removing it from land outside the LENGA that has already been developed
• Applying an Environmental Audit Overlay to 135 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance, due to a potential contamination risk identified in a recent assessment
• Minor updates to other parts of the planning scheme

The Amendment is on public exhibition, with submissions open until close of business Monday 21 September 2026. Submissions must include the amendment number (C161egip), the submitter's name, address and contact details, their views on the amendment, and what they'd like proposed. Submissions can be made by email to strategicplanning@egipps.vic.gov.au, by post to Strategic Planning, East Gippsland Shire Council, PO Box 1618, Bairnsdale VIC 3875, or by hand at any Council Service Centre.

Full details and FAQs are available on Your Say East Gippsland website. For questions, contact Council's Strategic Planning team on strategicplanning@egipps.vic.gov.au or 03 5153 9500.

Pictures from Your Say East Gippsland website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• RACV survey highlights Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, prompting renewed calls for improved safety
  RACV’s 2026 survey ranks Gippsland highways among Victoria’s most concerning roads, citing potholes, poor surfaces and safety issues. Nationals MP Danny O’Brien has outlined a $5 billion regional roads commitment.
• 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.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care.
• Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability
  Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates.
• The Nationals call for urgent public housing repairs as 147 Gippsland South properties remain vacant amid growing housing crisis
  The Nationals MP Danny O'Brien is calling for urgent repairs to 147 vacant public housing properties across Gippsland South, saying homes should be occupied amid the region's housing crisis.
• Bass Coast and South Gippsland businesses invited to connect, collaborate and network at upcoming Meet the Makers event in Meeniyan on 13 October 2026
  Local producers, makers and hospitality businesses across Bass Coast and South Gippsland are invited to Meet the Makers in Meeniyan on October 13, offering networking, collaboration and showcasing opportunities.
• Latrobe City Council pushes for jobs, investment, housing and community safety during Victorian Parliament delegation
  Latrobe City Council has urged Victorian leaders to back jobs, housing, investment, community safety, energy transition projects and infrastructure to strengthen long-term regional economic growth.
• Cycling Without Age Gippsland returns with free trishaw rides around Sale’s Lake Guthridge for community passengers and visitors
  Cycling Without Age Gippsland has resumed free trishaw rides at Lake Guthridge, Sale, welcoming Central Gippsland Health passengers and 16 floral art convention visitors, while inviting bookings and new volunteers.
• Baw Baw Shire opens applications for artists seeking up to $2,000 grant through Arts and Culture Fund Program, apply by 28 October 2026
  Baw Baw Shire is inviting local artists and creatives to apply for up to $2,000 through its Arts and Culture Fund, supporting projects that strengthen creative practice and community participation.
• International partners visit Gippsland to explore energy diversification and regional development opportunities firsthand together
  One Gippsland hosted European partners for a five-day Gippsland visit, exploring energy diversification, regional development, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture and collaboration between Australian and European regions.
• Darren Chester blames Labor-Greens timber shutdown as Maryvale Mill job losses hit Gippsland workers and families
  Federal MP Darren Chester says 84 more Maryvale Mill job losses stem from Labor-Greens forestry policies, urging state and federal governments to fund an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley.
• The Nationals criticise deteriorating Princes Highway as potholes raise safety concerns in Traralgon East
  The Nationals have criticised the deteriorating Princes Highway at Traralgon East, citing 85 potholes between Traralgon and Rosedale and road damage less than 18 months after duplication.