Bellarine DAL’s next phase expected to start this month

THE long-awaited next phase of the Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) program for the Bellarine Peninsula is expected to begin before the end of this month.

Much like the Surf Coast DAL, Phase 3 of public consultations on the Bellarine will be the release of the draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP).

This will include a 50-year vision and land use strategies to better protect the unique features of the Bellarine Peninsula declared area.

It will also designate long-term protected settlement boundaries to provide greater certainty for existing and and future generations.

The timeline on the Bellarine DAL website previously stated phase 3 public engagement on the draft SPP would begin in late 2020. The ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pushed this back to early 2021, but the timeline has been updated in the past fortnight to set a start date of late May 2021.

“The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has been developing a draft SPP for the Bellarine Peninsula declared area,” the website’s May update states.

“The draft SPP will be released to the public shortly. All project updates, including notifications regarding the opening of public consultation, will be made on this website and via emails to subscribers.

“Phase 3 public engagement will invite feedback and written submissions on the draft SPP.

“There will be opportunities to find out more about the draft SPP at several in-person and online information sessions. Time and locations will be announced closer to the launch of Phase 3 public consultation.”

The final SPP is still expected to be completed by late 2021.

The declared area for the Bellarine DAL covers the entire Bellarine Peninsula (including 600 metres seaward of the low water mark) and extends as far west as Moolap, the eastern side of Barwon Heads Road in Armstrong Creek, and Breamlea Road.

For more information on the Bellarine DAL, including a discussion paper and a list of frequently asked questions, head to the Engage Victoria website.