Final Bellarine DAL approved

THE long-term planning policy to manage the Bellarine Peninsula’s future growth has received ultimate approval from the Victorian government and is now in effect.

Earlier this week, Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny released the final Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) for the Bellarine Peninsula that has been declared a “distinctive area and landscape” (DAL) since 2019 under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The policy locks in protected settlement boundaries for all towns on the Bellarine Peninsula, ensuring the landscapes and natural beauty of the peninsula are protected for future generations.

The Bellarine Peninsula is highly valued as an environmental, historical, and nature-based tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year and connected by important transport infrastructure, including the Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry.

It is rich with heritage-listed and archaeological sites, including Queenscliff’s maritime and military history, and The Bluff at Barwon Heads.

The SPP will help the Bellarine Peninsula achieve a more resilient and sustainable future by encouraging investment in recycled water infrastructure, soil quality management and other emerging technologies.

It was prepared together with Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung, the Borough of Queenscliffe, and the City of Greater Geelong with significant public consultation

“We worked closely with the community to ensure we’re protecting the landscapes around the Bellarine Peninsula, and providing certainty for future housing, tourism and infrastructure investment in the region,” Ms Kilkenny said,

“Through our distinctive area and landscape legislation, we are providing the highest planning protection for Victoria’s most iconic and environmentally sensitive areas.”

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant welcomed the release of the final SPP.

“The Bellarine Peninsula is a sustainable, diverse region, made up of unique townships and this policy will help protect its unique character and natural assets for decades to come,” she said.

This week’s release of the final SPP – the end result of the Bellarine DAL program – follows Premier Daniel Andrews revealing the final draft SPP in Ocean Grove in October 2022.

This final draft was almost identical to the previous draft SPP released in late June 2021, with the only major change being the inclusion of the “Collendina Hotel” site inside the Ocean Grove town boundary.