Council
10 July, 2024
Council rejects subdivisions
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has rejected two planning per applications for subdivisions.
The first was for a two-lot subdivision on Doaks Track, Scotts Creek.
Shire planning co-ordinator Melanie Oborne said the reason the subdivision was sought was to enable the applicant (owner) to retain the dwelling and sell the balance.
She said the application was not supported.
“The application for the subdivision of land which creates a rural-residential lot, has not been adequately justified and is inconsistent with local and state planning policy,” Ms Oborne said.
“The current and future agricultural use of the land does not warrant or justify the need for subdivision and, at present and based on the information provided, there is greater planning benefit in retaining the dwelling on the land for long-term connection with agriculture.
“The proposal will result in the fragmentation of agricultural land and creates a rural lifestyle property in an established and highly productive farming area which is in direct conflict with the purpose of the Farming Zone and the strategic directions and policy objectives of the Corangamite Planning Scheme.”
Councillor Geraldine Conheady said council had been getting a “lot of these types of applications coming before us”.
“We go out and visit the sites wherever we can talk to the persons involved and I think we do take the time to get to know as much as we possibly can about these applications and to understand them properly,” she said.
“It doesn’t really change the issues around our municipal planning scheme and our policy plans framework – these issues remain the same.
“We do have to be careful about protecting agricultural land the type of development that occurs around the shire.
“The risks are rising from these kind of applications are weighty and they are real.”
Cr Geraldine said one of the key issues was fragmentation of rural land.
“If we do approve a lot of these applications we would have the problem of urban activities occurring in agricultural zones,” she said.
“I don’t think there’s anything compelling about this application.”
The second application was for a two-lot subdivision – excision of dwelling – in Guys road, Cooriemungle.
Ms Oborne said the subdivision was sought to sell the dwelling, which creates a rural-residential allotment.
“The small rural-residential lot is to be sold separately, with the balance land retained by a timber plantation company and used for timber production (blue gum plantation) currently being established to be planted,” she said.
Ms Oborne said the subdivision application was not supported.
“The current and future agricultural use of the land for timber production does not warrant or justify the need for subdivision and there is greater planning benefit in retaining the dwelling on the land for long-term connection with agriculture or maintaining the property as a whole entity.
“A strategic view must be taken with respect to the state significance of the land and agricultural industry within Corangamite Shire.”
Councillors unanimously voted to reject the application.