C139 - Planning Policy Framework Translation and PEGZ

An amendment to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme is being proposed and local community members are invited to provide feedback.

The Amendment involves the implementation of two local projects that have been developed by Baw Baw Shire Council in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the Planning Policy Framework (PPF) Translation and Planning in the Economic Growth Zone (PEGZ) project. It seeks to improve the planning system, making it more efficient and accessible for all users by removing surplus, redundant and duplicating information, as well as onerous or incorrect planning permit requirements.

The community submission period for proposed Amendment C139 to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme closed on Friday 20 November 2020. The unresolved submissions had been referred to an independent planning Panel. The Panel Hearing was held via video conference on 30 March 2021.

Planning Policy Framework (PPF) Translation

The PPF translation is part of Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s (DELWP’s) Smart Planning reform initiatives that will translate and integrate planning schemes for all Victorian municipalities, improving the operation of planning policy by better aligning State, Regional and Local Policy. The project has involved translating the existing Local Planning Policy Framework to the new integrated PPF and Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) in collaboration with Baw Baw Shire Council.

The Smart Planning Program aims to review the local planning policy content, while retaining key local issues and strategic directions for Baw Baw Shire, and to implement specific form and vocabulary for all local planning controls within the Planning Scheme (policy and various schedules).

The result of the PPF Translation will be that 50-60% of the local policy content will be reduced; however, the aim is that there be no loss of policy direction and that the State, Regional and Local planning policies will all be integrated.

Planning in the Economic Growth Zone (PEGZ)

PEGZ is a three-year pilot project that has been funded by DELWP. It seeks to improve the planning system and ensure that development and investment can progress in a streamlined manner with greater certainty across three municipalities in the Latrobe Valley - Baw Baw Shire, Latrobe City and Wellington Shire.

As a part of this project, the zone and overlay schedules of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme have been reviewed with the aim of strengthening local policy. The PEGZ project has included the following work that has resulted in the proposed changes to the Baw Baw planning scheme:

  • Strengthening economic policies within the Local Planning Policy Framework,
  • Settlement Policy Review, including the review of the local planning policy Structure Plans,
  • Zone and Overlay Schedules review to reduce low risk permit triggers and improve the form and content,
  • Erosion Management Overlay Review to introduce new permit exemptions,
  • Flooding Controls review to introduce new permit exemptions, and
  • Commercial and industrial land Design & Development Overlays Review.

The proposed amendment is supported by technical studies where required (Clause 44.01 - Erosion Management Overlay review) and engagement with referral authorities (Clause 44.04 - Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and Clause 44.03 - Floodway Overlay).

Amendment C139 - Exhibited Documents

Please click here to view a full menu of the exhibited documents.

Panel Report

The Panel Report was received on Friday, 30 April 2021. The Panel Report can be accessed here.(PDF, 424KB)  It recommends adoption of the amendment with changes.

Planning Panels Victoria had not originally notified three amendment submitters and, upon realisation,  provided them with the opportunity to be heard. The Panel hearing reconvened on 24 June. The Addendum Panel Report can be accessed here.(PDF, 350KB)

The Panel reports are available for inspection, free of charge, at the front desk of the Shire office at 33 Young Street, Drouin, during the regular office hours.

Council will make its final decision about the amendment at a future Council Meeting. The date of the meeting currently stands for 25 August 2021 (subject to changes on the Council Agenda) .

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