Council rescinds planning decision

A 2015 council decision relating to two lot subdivisions on land in Warragul and Drouin precinct structure plan areas has been rescinded by Baw Baw Shire council.

Seven years ago, council resolved to not support two lot subdivisions of existing houses and properties without the required services of the general residential zone in the Warragul and Drouin PSP areas.

The resolution resulted from a concern that further fragmentation of land in the urban growth zone in the form of two-lot subdivisions would make it difficult to realise the PSP objectives because land parcels would be uneconomic to developers and it was not using land in the most efficient way.

Officers said there also was concern delivery of key community and service infrastructure would be at risk.

Council has now adopted a position to support two lot subdivisions that seek to facilitate public infrastructure, including roads, waterways, drainage reserves, schools, activity centres, neighbourhood parks and neighbourhood shopping centres.

The services will be required to be provided as part of the normal planning application stage.

In a report to council, officers warned that changing the 2015 resolution to make exception for the earlier delivery of public infrastructure, there may be circumstances where a permit may be granted resulting un undesirable land fragmentation.

"This will have the effect of reducing the incentives and economic pressures to develop the land and may jeopardise the delivery of road connections and other infrastructure intended to serve the residential growth already underway," the report said.

Cr Danny Goss said the original policy was established so that two lot subdivisions were not approved without adequate services being provided such as roads.

"These services needed to be provided on the edge of the PSP to ensure orderly development.

"This policy has been used to hold up much needed public infrastructure but we don't want to see it held up.

"We want the public infrastructure to progress without the money being spent when a line is drawn on the map," he said.

Cr Goss said the new motion achieved what council wanted and that was development in an orderly fashion - "it seeks to facilitate public infrastructure."

Cr Joe Gauci said the policy was put in place to stop the fragmentation of PSP areas.

"We are still saying if its a residential area, you have to get your services out there," he said.