South Gippsland Shire Council News

The South Gippsland Shire contains some of the most productive agricultural areas in Victoria and provides a substantial proportion of Victoria’s milk and milk products as well beef, prime lamb and vegetables. The Shire also produces a range of boutique agricultural product and forestry. The landscape, amenity and proximity to Melbourne make the Shire an attractive destination for tourism and living.

The development of a rural strategy to accurately reflect the circumstances and future vision for rural areas of the municipality is essential to balance the multiple uses and protect the Shire’s agricultural, environmental and landscape values.

In this context, South Gippsland Shire Council is undertaking the development of a Rural Strategy in order to implement the new suite of planning zones affecting rural areas (Farming Zone, Rural Activity Zone and Rural Conservation Zone) in conjunction with the development of appropriate Planning Scheme policies to control land use and development in rural areas.The Rural Strategy will be developed in three stages:

Stage 1 Preparation of an Issues Paper documenting the rural land use circumstances and issues and seek community and stakeholder feedback to validate the findings and provide direction for the future of rural land in the Shire;

Stage 2 Preparation of the Rural Strategy outlining the objectives and strategies to be implementedin the Planning Scheme and seek community and stakeholder feedback through Pubic Exhibition; and

Stage 3 Preparation of Planning Scheme Amendment and Public Exhibition.

Project Purpose

The purpose of Stage 1 of the project is to:

• Undertake research and analysis to document

the range of issues affecting rural land use in the

South Gippsland Shire;

• Prepare in consultation with the Council an

Issues Paper with a range of matters to test with

the community;

• Undertake consultation with stakeholders and the

South Gippsland community;

• Articulate directions/outcomes for rural land use

in the South Gippsland Shire; and

• Prepare a Rural Land Use Report to form the

basis of development of the Shire’s Rural

Strategy

Purpose of the Issues Paper

The purpose of the Issues Paper is to document the

findings of Stage 1 of the study. The Issues Paper

draws together the findings of a desktop analysis of a

range of studies prepared by Council and other

agencies. It is understood that this may not have

captured all the issues and more recent circumstances.

The findings of the Issues Paper will therefore be validated through consultation with community and

stakeholders.

The Issues Paper will include consideration of the:

• Current planning policy framework;

• Current rural land uses in South Gippsland; and

• Drivers of land use change.

Community Consultation Timetable

Council is seeking community feedback on the Issues

Paper and the following key questions in regard to the

future of the Shire’s rural areas:

What are South Gippsland’s rural areas important for?

What should South Gippsland’s rural areas look like in the future?

What should South Gippsland’s rural areas be used for in the future?

Are there special places that should be protected?

What are the particular land use issues facing agriculture in South Gippsland?

Copies of the Issues Paper and feedback forms will be available at all local libraries including the mobile library, and at

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au. Further information and the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in the Issues

Paper will be provided at a number of community forums:

Community Open Days

4 December 2007, 3.30pm – 5.30pm Leongatha Council Chambers

5 December 2007, 2.30pm – 4.30pm Korumburra Library Meeting Room

6 December 2007, 2.30pm – 4.30pm Foster War Memorial Arts Centre

Farmers Workshops

4 December 2007, 10.00am – 12.30pm Poowong Hall

5 December 2007, 10.00am – 12.30pm Mirboo North Former Shire Offices,

6 December 2007, 10.00am – 12.30pm Fish Creek, Memorial Hall

Written responses can be made on a feedback form at the back of the Issues Paper and sent to:

Strategic Planning Department, South Gippsland Shire, Private Bag 4, Leongatha, 3953, DX94026

Or send comments by email to:

council@southgippsland.vic.go.au

Any queries on the content of the Issues paper can be directed to the Planning Department on 5662 9224