Bass Coast Project Update - December 2021

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) continues to deliver the Victorian Government's Distinctive Areas and Landscapes program while responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Phase 3 public consultation on the draft Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) is expected to start in early 2022 and will include a written submissions process. Public consultation will occur as per the Victorian Government's public health advice. The draft Bass Coast SPP continues to be informed by community input in Phase 1 and 2 engagement and technical studies.

After consultation, the SPP will be finalised and provided to responsible public entities for endorsement, including the Bass Coast Shire Council.

The SPP will include a 50-year vision, objectives and strategies for guiding land use, management and development decisions to better protect and enhance the significant attributes of the Bass Coast declared area. It will also designate long-term settlement boundaries for townships to provide greater certainty for communities and investors today and future generations.

Project updates will be published on this website and emailed to subscribers.

Phase 2 Engagement

Phase 2 engagement for the Bass Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape project is now closed. The feedback we receive through this phase of engagement will help us to prepare a draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP).

The Bass Coast DAL Discussion Paper has been prepared for Phase 2 engagement and is available in the document library. We sought feedback on a draft 50-year vision statement and potential policy approaches for the SPP.

Results of phase one engagement

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) undertook its first phase of public engagement from 10 July 2019 to 12 August 2019.

The engagement sought community feedback on:

• What is most valued about the Bass Coast?
• What threats there are to these values?
• Ways we could protect what is valued?
• The vision for the future of the Bass Coast?

A summary of phase one engagement findings and the full public engagement report are available to download from the Document Library.

Declaration

In October 2019 Bass Coast was declared a Distinctive Area and Landscape under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The declaration triggers the requirement to prepare a Statement of Planning Policy.

The declaration area is the municipal district of Bass Coast Shire. The following map depicts the declared area:

DELWP undertook a comprehensive assessment of the region against the declaration criteria outlined in the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to determine the declared area. This assessment involved desktop analysis, site visits, as well as internal and external consultation with subject matter experts. It was further informed by consultation with the Bass Coast Shire Council, the Bunurong People and the local community.

In September 2021, the municipal district of Bass Coast Shire Council was redeclared to ensure the previous declaration did not lapse and to provide sufficient time for the finalisation of the Statement of Planning Policy. The declaration commenced on 30 October 2021.

The declaration assessment report prepared by DELWP and the associated landscape advice are available to download here:

Statement of Planning Policy

The Statement of Planning Policy will include a 50-year vision and land use strategies to better protect the unique features of the Bass Coast for current and future generations. It also provides the opportunity to designate long term settlement boundaries.

The Policy will be informed by strategic planning work already undertaken, relevant technical studies and outcomes from community engagement.