Amendment C152bawb – Longwarry Structure Plan

Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb seeks to implement recommendations of the Longwarry Structure Plan by making changes to the Planning Policy Framework of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme.

Exhibition period closed Friday 13 December 2024. 

Visit Baw Baw Connect for more information about the exhibition. 

Current Stage: Abandonment

At the 12 February 2025 Council Meeting, Council resolved to abandon amendment C152bawb.  

In accordance with Section 28 (2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Council must include a statement of reasons for the decision. 

The reasons that Council resolved to abandon amendment C152bawb were included in the Council Meeting report and are provided as follows:

  • Melbourne Water, the Floodplain Management Authority for the Longwarry area objected to amendment C152bawb. As the Floodplain Management Authority, Melbourne Water have jurisdiction over the complex drainage systems and have a strong understanding of the flood hazard that poses a challenge to the existing township, community and infrastructure through flood mapping and responsibilities for drainage and waterway management.  The position of the Floodplain Management Authority would hold significant weight throughout the Planning Scheme Amendment process and has been given due consideration.
  • The Melbourne Water submission recommends the completion of an extensive list of further strategic work as follows:
  • Preparation of a local Floodplain Management Strategy Framework
  • Preparation of a revised Flood and Drainage Strategy (Underway)
  • Investigation of the feasibility of a Drainage Development Contributions Plan
  • Revisions of existing flood study for the existing township and proposed growth areas for the 1% AEP flood extent, including climate change and planning horizon towards the year 2100
  • Preparation of an amendment to implement updated flood controls to land identified within the 1% AEP flood extent
  • Review and investigate all existing drainage assets to determine ownership and management responsibilities.

This work is not currently budgeted, and it is unknown how long it would take to complete.

  • Melbourne Water have noted that the completion of the additional strategic work may not result in a feasible or supportable position to consider further intensification or rezonings in Longwarry, due to the significant flood hazard.
  • Abandoning the amendment given the objection from Melbourne Water ensures consistency and compliance with relevant State strategies and legislation, including the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy (2016), Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Roles and Responsibilities under Victorian legislation (2020), Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Local Government Act 2020.

Amendment C152Bawb has been abandoned and is now concluded.  

 

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