THE latest review of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s planning scheme has found it to be “strategically robust and operationally sound”.
The mayor Cr Simon Brooks said last year’s four-yearly review of the planning scheme covering “our amazing and diverse shire” also supported continued lobbying of the state government to release “surplus land” around the Port of Hastings. He has also called on peninsula residents to back the shire by lobbying their local MPs.
Other issues involving approaches to the state government included action on sea level rise hazards; reforming bushfire controls to minimise unnecessary vegetation loss; stronger controls to protect the green wedge; changing design standards to ensure new developments were carbon neutral and resilient to climate change impact. “We know these issues are important to our community so I encourage everyone to support the shire’s advocacy efforts by writing to their local member of parliament and calling for action,” Brooks said.
The shire says regular reviews of the planning scheme are aimed at gauging its effectiveness “in achieving both state and local planning objectives”. The review recognises the significant progress the Shire has made in preparing key land use and development strategies and updating the planning scheme. It also highlights Council’s advocacy to State Government on planning matters that impact the Peninsula.
Key highlights” from the 2023 review included:
- Adopted strategies relating to housing, neighborhood character, environmental conservation, environmentally sustainable development, heritage preservation and industrial land.
- Protection and management of environmentally significant areas such as the green wedge, Tootgarook Wetland and Balcombe Estuary, Mount Martha.
- Development of township and structure plans, as well as parking precinct plans for major activity centres.
The review report can be seen at: mornpen.vic.gov.au/planningschemereview
First published in the Mornington News – 4th June 2024
