WHEN the Victorian Planning Authority announced, on January 18 this year that the Wonthaggi North East Precinct had been added to the local shire’s planning scheme, they said nothing about applying new environmental audit overlays to hundreds of blocks, many retrospectively.
They headed their media release at the time “new jobs and homes for a growing Wonthaggi” but of course, we know now, that they were actually stifling growth and killing jobs with their grossly unfair overlays and failure to communicate.
Here in full is what the VPA said in their announcement on January 18 this year, without a single word about the fact that they were introducing hundreds of highly restrictive overlays on new blocks of land and new homes.
“The Victorian Planning Authority’s plans for Wonthaggi North East have been gazetted, paving the way for new homes, jobs and services in the Bass Coast Shire.
“You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to receive updates on our planning for Wonthaggi North East or participated in our community consultation.
“The Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan, developed in consultation with Bass Coast Shire, outlines how Wonthaggi North East will become a green and connected new community that extends from the existing Wonthaggi township while protecting the natural beauty of this regional destination.
“The 633-hectare precinct will accommodate 5000 new homes and 1600 new jobs, providing long-term housing and employment opportunities for the Bass Coast region.
“Industrial and commercial land along the Bass Highway will pave the way for the creation of local jobs, and the new community will benefit from a new government primary school and new sports reserve.
“Tree lined streets, trails, and boulevards will connect the new community to these jobs and facilities, as well as the existing township.
“The Bass Coast region is designated a ‘distinctive area and landscape’ by the Victorian Government, recognising its valuable environment, landscape and lifestyle. The Wonthaggi North East precinct will provide for much-needed local jobs and homes, while protecting the parts of the Bass Coast environment that need it most.
“The plans for Wonthaggi North East include nature reserves, protected views, and an expansive waterway and wetland system, ensuring the new community can enjoy the Bass Coast’s beautiful natural environment for generations to come.
“Wonthaggi North East is one of 21 priority projects identified to deliver more than 60,000 homes and 60,000 jobs across Victoria as part of Victoria’s Housing Statement. These 21 projects will deliver a sustainable supply of land, and more jobs close to home, while the Victorian Government delivers more housing choice in all parts of Victoria.
You can view the final gazetted plans at vpa.vic.gov.au/wonthaggi-north-east.
Among the 21 projects in regional areas are the following:
* Wonthaggi PSP
* Ballarat Infrastructure Growth Alignment Framework
* Shepparton South East PSP
* Corio Norlane Urban Renewal
* Bannockburn South East PSP
* East of Aberline PSP
* Ballarat North PSP
The Ballarat North PSP, for example, is located approximately 8 kilometres from the Ballarat Central Business District. The PSP currently encompasses approximately 832 hectares of land and is expected to be completed for release in 2026.
The ‘core area’ of the Ballarat North Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) area has been rezoned to Urban Growth Zone (UGZ) but Environmental Audit Overlays (EAO) are only being proposed for a discrete part of the precinct, at 15 Olliers Road, Mount Rowan and Noble Court, Mount Rowan.
It is interesting to note that the City of Ballarat prepared an amendment to the city’s planning scheme back in 2017 under which they deleted the Environmental Audit Overlays from a significant number of properties. The amendment still had to go through a lengthy public consultation and approval process but it does hold out some long-term hope that the overlays might ultimately be removed from titles.
