B A S S C OA S TDistinctive areas and landscapes

The Victorian Government is committed to protecting the Bass Coast’s distinctive environment, landscape and lifestyle.

The Bass Coast is renowned for its excellent beaches, coastal biodiversity, wetlands of international significance and a wealth of recreation and tourism opportunities.

Given the Bass Coast’s proximity to Melbourne and Phillip Island’s prominence as one of Victoria’s iconic tourism destinations, the region is experiencing increasing numbers of visitors and urban development pressures. To ensure the region’s long-term sustainability, and manage threats from climate change risks, the Victorian Government must effectively balance growth with the preservation of distinctive features and characteristics.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will work with the Bass Coast Shire Council and Traditional Owners, the Bunurong, to declare the Bass Coast region a Distinctive Area and Landscape under the Planning and Environment Act (1987).

The Distinctive Area and Landscape project will identify long-term settlement boundaries to protect the unique Bass Coast region for current and future generations.

Statement of Planning Policy

To achieve a long-term vision for the region and guide future land use and development, a Statement of Planning Policy (the Statement) including a Strategic Framework Plan will be developed with:

• Bass Coast Shire Council

• Traditional Owners

• The community

The Statement provides a framework to ensure the excellent beaches, coastal biodiversity, recreation and tourism attributes of the Bass Coast continue to be of special significance. It will also celebrate Aboriginal Victorians connection to Country.

The Statement will consider development controls and identify protected settlement boundaries to ensure development does not inappropriately encroach into valued natural and rural landscapes. These will be subject to the same strong protections in place for Melbourne’s permanent Urban Growth Boundary, requiring parliamentary approval to amend them. Implementing these boundaries will safeguard valuable landscapes and protect them from overdevelopment and encroachment. Some changes to local planning controls may be required in order to implement the Statement. These controls will ensure that the region’s environmental values – attributes loved by locals and Victorians – are protected. This will build on, and be informed by, the strategic planning work Council has already undertaken.

The Bass Coast Distinctive Area and Landscapes Project will coincide with the creation of the Bass Coast Marine and Coastal Park. This park will amalgamate existing marine and coastal reserves between San Remo and Inverloch and extend the George Bass Coastal Walk to allow more Victorians to enjoy the Bass Coast’s rugged and beautiful coastline.

engage.vic.gov.au/distinctive-areas-and-landscapes-program

Credit: Visit Victoria

Have your sayCommunity consultation will open at key stages of the Bass Coast Distinctive areas and Landscapes Project.

Check the Engage Victoria website engage.vic.gov.au/distinctive-areas-and-landscapes-program and register for updates.

More information

planning.implementation@delwp.vic.gov.au

Call 136 186 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Costs may vary - mobiles and public telephones may incur additional costs.

engage.vic.gov.au/distinctive-areas-and-landscapes-program

Initial project work

Approval of the Statement of Planning Policy

Declaration of Bass Coast region as a Distinctive Area and Landscape

Development of the Draft Statement of Planning Policy

Early2019

Mid2019

Late2019

Early2020

Mid2020

Late2020

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 1

The environment, landscape and lifestyle people want to protect

Public Engagement

Public Engagement

Public Engagement

Policy Direction The draft Statement of Planning Policy

Timeline

B A S S C OA S TDistinctive areas and landscapes

engage.vic.gov.au/distinctive-areas-and-landscapes-program

© The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2019

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