Murrindindi Shire has endorsed changes to local planning schemes to align with a new state planning structure.
Murrindindi Shire Land Use and Planning Portfolio Councillor Margaret Rae said every council has a planning scheme, it’s where all the local, regional and state planning policies are laid out. Planning schemes cover bushfire management overlays, zonings, parking requirements, heritage controls and everything in between.
“In essence, planning schemes provide guidelines for development and regulation of land use so that competing social, environmental and economic priorities can be balanced,” Cr Rae said.
“At Council’s March meeting, we [council] endorsed proposed changes to the Murrindindi Shire Planning Scheme so that it will align with the new structure for all Victorian planning schemes as prepared by the Victorian State Government.
“This will see local, regional and state planning policies consolidated with duplicate statements removed, making it a smaller document and easier for everyone to use and understand. However, none of the current requirements and controls have been changed.
“Murrindindi Shire is set to be one of the first municipalities in the State to have its planning policies translated into the new format, with all councils in Victoria set to revise their planning schemes in due course with the assistance of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
“Council is keen to encourage development and appropriate land use that will promote an environment in which business and community can thrive. Maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness and liveability of our Shire, in balance with our natural environment, is the cornerstone of Council’s Planning activity.
“We are confident these changes to our Planning Scheme will make understanding planning and development less onerous for our community and we encourage anyone with questions and ideas to come and speak with our planning unit,” Cr Rae concluded.
