Rural Strategy - Surf Coast Shire

Surf Coast Shire Rural Strategy Review
Final Report
The above planning controls are also guided by the Rural and Environmental Development
Policy which, in respect of the precinct:
Restricts the development of lots for a dwelling through tenement provisions.
Restricts the excision of an existing dwelling.
While the Rural Conservation Zone is considered to be the most appropriate zone for the
precinct, it does not provide for the type of tourist development that exists in and continues
to be envisaged for the Lorne hinterland in particular.
The Significant Landscape Overlay should be reviewed in light of the findings and
recommendations of the GORRLAS.
Recommendations
To implement the strategic direction, the following planning controls are recommended:
Retain the Rural Conservation Zone, however continue discussions with DSE to broaden
the scope for tourism opportunities while ensuring the protection of the environmental
and landscape values.
Retain the Rural and Environmental Development Policy but redraft to make the policy
clearer.
Review the provisions of Schedule 1 to the SLO and the application of the overlay based
on the GORRLAS.
10.8 Other Implementation Measures
In addition to the changes to the planning scheme outlined above, the following measures
are recommended as part of implementation of the Rural Strategy:
Write to the Minister for Planning seeking changes to the Rural Conservation Zone to
allow tourism uses that support environmental outcomes on the land as outlined in
Section 9.6 and continue to advocate broader changes to the new rural zones to facilitate
agricultural development;
Apply for funding to undertake an investigation of irrigated horticulture north of Torquay;
Commit to investigating future opportunities for the Rural Activity Zone in other parts of
the Shire targeted to different uses as part of the three years Strategic Planning work
program;
Commit to the Tourism Strategy and Economic Development Strategy being referenced
in the Surf Coast Planing Scheme as part of the project to rewrite the Municipal Strategic
Statement.
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