Barwon’s win on boundary
A BARWON Heads push to maintain its town boundaries has been successful.
Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne signed off on an amendment on Monday that retains the town’s current western boundary — with land to the west remaining rural zoned — following a threeyear process.
The tick-off follows a push by the 2800-member Save Barwon Heads Alliance in 2018 to leave the town boundary unchanged.
The group forwarded almost 750 submissions on Amendment C375 to the City of Greater Geelong last year.
All up, the amendment received 942 public submissions — 788 of which were in full support of the council’s proposals.
Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason welcomed the decision.
“It’s good news for the Barwon Heads community that this plan has now received final approval by the minister, ending a very thorough process that ultimately resulted in an excellent outcome,” Cr Mason said.
“The structure plan reflects the community’s clearly stated desire not to extend the town’s western boundary and sends a clear message that this council cares about protecting the Bellarine’s distinct environmental features.”
Mr Wynne also approved a series of new residential zones and overlays across Barwon Heads, to ensure development better reflected the town’s coastal character — including protection for coastal moonah woodland vegetation in Warrenbeen Court, and efforts to restrict further subdivision.