Planning initiative for economic growth

A planning initiative has been developed by Baw Baw Shire that aims to give the region a competitive edge in encouraging economic growth.

The planning scheme amendment aims to make it easier and quicker for applicants to develop land and establish and grow businesses in the shire.

Planning scheme amendment C139 will be referred to an independent planning panel.

Council received 19 submissions in relation to the amendment during consultation last year.

The planning in the economic growth zone (PEGZ) project aims to implement planning improvements to ensure the region has a competitive advantage in generating economic growth.

A report to council said the state government established an economic growth zone in the Latrobe Valley in 2016 after announcing the Hazelwood Power Station would close.

The aim of the initiative was to stimulate local jobs, attract businesses and encourage growth of existing businesses through planning initiatives.

Officers said the amendment also would reduce the amount of permit triggers in the planning scheme which will reduce the assessments required by planners.

“The permit triggers to be removed have been deemed to add very little value to the planning application process and as such their removal will enable the statutory planning team to focus on the processing and assessment of more meaningful applications,” officers said.

The planning scheme amendment developed as part of the PEGZ project proposes a number of changes to the planning scheme including:

Strengthening economic policies;

Settlement policy review and review of local planning policy structure plans;

Reducing low risk permit triggers;

Permit exemptions for erosion management overlay and flooding controls; and,

Commercial and industrial design and development overlays.

Cr Michael Leaney said the amendment aimed to stimulate jobs and grow business through funding and planning initiatives.

Cr Joe Gauci said the PEGZ project was all about making things more simple for planning and development opportunities.

The submissions, to be considered by the panel, raised a number of issues relating to a zoning anomaly, flood overlays and proliferation of houses on rural land.

Some submissions related to wording within the amendment and a previously approved development in Drouin .

A submission received 30 days after the close date was not accepted by council.

The independent panel will consider the proposed planning scheme amendment and hear submissions at a hearing beginning on March 29.