Council seeks independent panel for planning scheme amendment

THE city council has agreed to ask Victorian Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to appoint an independent panel to consider public submissions it received for Planning Scheme Amendment C282gben, which affects all industrial land across Greater Bendigo.

The amendment proposes to partially implement the Greater Bendigo Industrial Land Development Strategy 2024 (GBILDS) by rezoning 1029 Calder Highway, Maiden Gully, from Industrial 1 Zone to Public Conservation and Resource Zone.

It also proposes to introduce the draft Greater Bendigo Industrial Development Guidelines to replace the Good Design for Industry 1997 and make changes to the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework and Operational Provisions of the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme.

C282gben was publicly exhibited for five weeks from 31 October to 5 December last year and 13 submissions were received from landowners, consultants and referral authorities.

Seven submissions supported or requested no changes while six submissions, although largely in support of the principle of the amendment, requested changes.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the proposed amendment responded to strong continued demand for larger-scale industrial land across Greater Bendigo.

“The region needs to ensure an adequate pipeline of suitably located and adequately sized industrial land to meet long term needs of industry,” she said.

“This is not only about trying to attract new industry to Greater Bendigo but to retain the many businesses already here that provide local jobs and are looking to expand into the future.”

A further report to the council is expected after the planning panel report has been received.