Bundalong - Moira Shire Council

6.0 Adjoining land usesThe design and nature of land use adjoining theforeshore will affect conditions (level of use, wear andtear, views), access to and along the lake edge, and theoverall experiences of the lake. Similarly, activities onthe water and along the foreshore may impact on theamenity of shore based activities.The main issues associated with lake side land usesinclude:–––––The design and treatment of the interfacebetween residential and foreshore zonesResidential development generatingincreased demand for foreshore facilitiesThe nature of the adjacent landuse abutting the foreshorePressure placed on the foreshore due toinsufficient or poorly designed public openspace in adjacent residential areasLimited width of public access along the foreshorebetween lake front residential properties and thewater.There are benefits if the foreshore and adjacentresidential areas are separated by a road way andformed pathways. Such a roadway will provide abuffer along the lake edge, create passive surveillanceopportunities, establish easy and unambiguous publicaccess to the lake front, and a define the limits of publicand private space.The provision of a road along the foreshore also hastourism benefits as a scenic route and also for thepotential of cycle and road based recreation events.It is noted that existing development significantly restrictopportunities for the retrofitting of a lakeside road,but wherever possible, new developments shouldincorporate this feature.The nature and density of residential developmentadjacent to the foreshore will impact on foreshoreactivities, and the experiences of those using theforeshore. A number of residents have expressed theview that the area adjacent to the lake is being overdevelopedand that the carrying capacity of public openspace, current infrastructure and the lake has alreadybeen exceeded. Council is in a position to control therate and nature of residential development, and the formand design of development through planning controls.It is considered that the rural land between Bathumiand Bundalong is not financially viable in the longterm, and that alternative, more profitable, uses shouldbe explored. A Regional Rural Strategy will guideopportunities for the future development of this land,though it is recommended that the intrinsic landscapevalues of the area be maintained, and that adequateprovision for lakeside access be provided.The Moira Shire Planning Scheme in conjunction with anumber of other Development Plans govern the landuseand development in the study area.The StrategyPolicy and Planning StrategyConsider the introduction of the following policies forfuture development along the foreshore in the studyarea:––A public roadway must separate any residentialsub-division, commercial development or otherdevelopment from the foreshore to enableunrestricted public access and to allow theconstruction of a formed path along this reserve.Residential dwellings and other buildingsadjoining the foreshore must front a publicroadway and face towards the lake.–––Residential dwellings along the foreshoreshall have a specified setback from the lakefront property boundary to ensure that thereis adequate private open space and to avoidbuilt form dominating the lake front reserve.Residential sub-divisions abutting the foreshoreshould provide a minimum building setback of50 metres from full supply level of the lake.Council should seek open space contributions fromdevelopers in subdivisions adjoining the foreshore,to create local open space for social/ familyrecreation within walkable distance from all houses.6.1 Residential propertiesThe lake front to the residential houses at Woodlandsis a highly modified open grassy area with a varietyof edge and landscape treatments that have beenimplemented by residents. Residences in Bundalongshare similar characteristics with unclear boundariesbetween private and public land.While there is a public reserve along the lake front, thereis a lack of clarity about public accessibility due to thepresence of private garden settings on the lake edge,the absence of property fences, and the blurring ofprivate gardens and lawns with public land.Goulburn-Murray Water is currently liaising withresidents in these areas to clarify land ownershipboundaries, remove inappropriate infrastructure and toensure public accessibility along the lake front.It is recommended that this continue to ensure that allcurrent and future lake front residents are fully awareof the public nature of the foreshore reserve and of theimplications of living in such a location.Demand Management StrategyTo reduce the expectation that private land ownerscan occupy the lake front reserve, continue ongoingliaison with residents, including the removal of privateinfrastructure.Ensure that real estate agents, developers and newresidents are aware of policies that provide for clear andunimpeded public access along the foreshore.Communications StrategyConsider the preparation of a leaflet with landscapeguidelines showing how appropriate lake front gardenscan be implemented.Distribute these to all existing residents, land ownersand developers These will also be available on theMoira Shire Council website and at Council’s offices.Policy and planningConsider adopting design guidelines regardingresidential private gardens into the overall designguidelines developed for the foreshore. Some of thesecould be:––––Enforce the 50 metre minimum set back for allbuildings from the full supply level.Permit visually permeable fences (i.e. pool fencing,picket, mesh) along the foreshore boundaries.Prohibit solid fences along the foreshore boundaries.Trees should be planted to maintain views of the lakefrom the road and public foreshore land whereverpossible.Page 69