Farming Zone Review
Strathbogie Shire Council recently held a series of community workshop sessions throughout the shire to inform the community about the Farming Zone Review. Council engaged Parsons Brinckerhoff to undertake this project and was delighted with attendance levels, particularly at Strathbogie where thirty eight people participated.
The review will provide a clear vision and plan to support the sustainable use and management of the Shire's rural areas and will focus on issues associated with farming, conservation of natural resources and other rural activities.
Strathbogie Shire is recognised for its diverse rural communities and its strong agricultural base that is a key component of the local economy. It is important to protect the Shire's agricultural base and other natural resources.
The Farming Zone Review project requires local input to ensure that local knowledge is passed on to the project team and that your requirements for use and development of rural land are better understood.
Tess Noonan-Egan attended the Strathbogie workshop and said, "The workshop was very interesting especially learning from some of the senior people of the community. It was nice to see that people were thinking of the potential of the area. The format was great and even the potential barriers that people raised were balanced with legitimate concerns about how they could potentially be addressed."
Mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Gregory Carlson said, "The Farming Zone Review will not replace the Rural Living Strategy work currently being undertaken by the Shire. This project will analyse where the Farming Zone currently applies and determine any changes required (such as the potential use of other rural zones) to achieve a sustainable future for the rural areas of the Shire."
Group Manager of Strategic and Community Development, Steve Crawcour said, "All use and development of land (for example new buildings, subdivision and business enterprises) is governed by the Victorian planning system. In some instances proposals for use and development do not require a permit, but for many other proposals a planning permit is required before any building works or operations can proceed. The zone applying to the land contains provisions which may trigger the need for a planning permit."
The completion of the Farming Zone Review will work through the following stages.
1. Review, analysis and consultation
2. Issues and Options Paper
3. Community consultation
4. Changes to Planning Scheme
5. Farming Zone Review Draft Report
If you were unable to attend any of the sessions and would like to view information about the project and / or make a contribution to the project please contact:
Nick Byrne, Project Manager, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Bendigo
Ph: (03) 5430 3400
E-mail: bendigo@pb.com.au
For more information: Marli Kelly 0409 410 178 - October 6, 2008