Community associations wait on DAL outcome

THE Victorian government has missed its self-imposed deadline for the final stage of the Bellarine Peninsula Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) program, and a collective of the peninsula’s community groups are concerned about the long delays in the government’s response to public feedback.

Public engagement on the DAL’s third phase, a draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP), closed on August 20 last year, with the Victorian Planning Minister scheduled to release the final SPP in late 2021.

This did not happen, and Combined Bellarine Community Associations chair Dr Lawrence St. Leger said there was still uncertainty about whether the beauty and benefits of being in nature on the Bellarine were under threat.

“The DAL process is now over two years old.

“Meanwhile our residents and many visitors still do not know if the government is going to protect our natural environments, our open spaces and its vegetation and native animals, the diversity of our wetlands, waterways and coastal beaches and dunes – and importantly if there will be meaningful limits placed on the inappropriate development which threatens the beautiful Bellarine.”

Dr St. Leger is a former Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at Deakin University.

“Having easy access to nature actually improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, reduces anger and aggression, enhances resiliency, increases community cohesion, lowers crime rates and enhances relationship skills,” he said.

“Our regular and new visitors to the Bellarine this summer need to know that their access to nature and its many scientific benefits will be reduced if there is more development on the Bellarine.”

Under the Act, the Minister for Planning Minister must prepare a SPP for a declared area to create a framework to guide the future use and development of land within the declared area – in this instance, the entire Bellarine Peninsula and as far west as Moolap and part of Armstrong Creek – to ensure appropriate protection and conservation of its distinctive attributes.

Dr St. Leger said delays to the DAL outcomes would reduce the good intentions of the draft SPP, “which put in place a strong framework for the protection of the Bellarine Peninsula and all of its towns from over-development in accordance with previously announced government election promises, intentions and commitments”.

The final SPP for the Bellarine Peninsula is expected to be released this year, but it is not clear when.

“While the coronavirus pandemic has unfortunately impacted timelines, we’re continuing to deliver these important reforms for the Bellarine Peninsula,” a Victorian government spokesperson said.

“The stronger planning controls will protect what makes the Bellarine Peninsula so iconic – ensuring it will continue to be enjoyed by current and future generations.”