Council
6 March, 2024
Subdivision planning app' rejected
A TWO-LOT subdivision planning permit application divided opinions among Corangamite Shire Council.
At last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors ultimately voted to refuse the planning permit application which sought approval for a two-lot subdivision at Timboon Peterborough Road.
However, Coastal Ward councillor Jamie Vogels moved an alternate motion to approve the permit application.
He maintained the land was currently fragmented and by allowing the two lot sub-division it was “effectively unfragmenting” the space.
Cr Nick Cole seconded the alternate motion and agreed it would not fragment the land, but rather make it a bigger block of land by amalgamating two blocks of land.
The alternate motion was defeated five – two.
Central Ward Cr Ruth Gstrein moved the planning officers recommendation the application be refused be followed.
Shire planning co-ordinator Melanie Oborne recommended the application be refused.
“It is considered that the proposed subdivision, which creates an isolated rural-residental lot within the farming zone, does not provide an acceptable response to the relevant strategic direction, planning policy and controls of the planning scheme,” she said in her report to council.
Ms Oborne said the proposed subdivision was sought so the owners can stay in the existing dwelling after retiring from farming, with the balance farmland intended to be sold to a neighbouring farm.
“Overall, the application does not provide an appropriate response to the strategic directions and policy objectives which seek to prioritise the protection of productive agricultural land from incompatible land uses and prevent inappropriate urban activities in rural areas which may prejudice the ongoing operation of agriculture,” she said.
“Council is at a critical stage in considering the future of agriculture in the shire and the protection of productive agricultural land, where progressive decisions to fragment farmland have the potential to lead to long-term negative cumulative outcomes, restricting the continuation and growth of this key industry.”
Cr Gstrein said she sympathised with the property owners on what they were trying to achieve, but said this “was not the way best way to do it”.
“This is just conflicting with the existing use of the farm property,” she said.
“There is a threat to right to farm further down the road.”
Cr Geraldine Conheady echoed Cr Gstrein’s concerns.
“I just see it as potentially incumbent on us to be mindful of the policy guidelines on our municipal land strategy and the planning framework,” she said.
“This type of subdivision really does have the strong potential to cause issues with right to farm and land conflict issues.”