The Rural Living Zone Review - Project Questions and Answers
Why is Council undertaking a review of land in the Rural Living Zone?
There is continued demand for rural living opportunities within the Shire.
The Rural Living Zone is Council’s preferred option for further rural living development (on lots
between 2 and 40 hectares). By facilitating further supply of lots within this zone, the pressure for
development in other areas of the shire, such as land within the Farming Zone and the Rural
Conservation Zone can be reduced.
As such, it is essential for Council to provide certainty over the supply of land in the Rural Living
Zone, to address the continued demand for rural living opportunities, reduce the pressure on the
Farming Zone and meet the State Government’s expectations that at least 15 years of residential
land supply is provided across the shire.
Council is aiming to achieve a minimum of 30 years of supply in the Rural Living Zone across the
Shire. This approach has been adopted so that certainty of supply can be provided into the
medium to long term.
Why does Council propose to increase land supply?
Council’s review of supply and demand for land within the Rural Living Zone has indicated that
there is an undersupply of lots, particularly smaller lots. This issue of undersupply does need to
be addressed if pressure for development in other areas of the Shire (such as the Farming Zone)
is to be reduced. Council is also required under State planning policy to identify at least 15 years
of residential land supply within the shire.
In the south of the Shire around Gisborne and Gisborne South, are a number of large lots in the
Rural Living Zone which could be further subdivided to increase the supply of smaller lots to meet
the market demands. These changes to the minimum subdivision size could increase supply
without increasing the footprint of the Rural Living Zone.
My land is in the Farming Zone. Does the Strategy propose anything for the Farming Zone?
In the Rural Living Zone has focussed exclusively on land in the Rural Living Zone. All land outside
of this zone is outside of the project’s scope.
The Strategy has identified that the Northern region in the shire has less than 15 years of
theoretical supply and an outcome of the Strategy may be a future project that would investigate
rezoning land in the Farming Zone in this area.
Will this project allow me to subdivide my rural living zoned land?
The Rural Living Zone has 5 schedules. Each of the schedules applies a different minimum lot size
and any lot created must be at least the minimum lot size.
The draft Strategy has proposed changes to the minimum lot size around Gisborne and Gisborne
South. These changes suggest minimum lot sizes of 2 and 4 hectares may be appropriate to
provide additional supply of rural living opportunities (refer to Chapter 4.1 of the Strategy for
more details). No other changes are proposed to the current minimum lot sizes in the Rural Living
Zone.
Once the Strategy is finalised and adopted by Council, a planning scheme amendment will propose
appropriate statutory tools to manage the character of the area and allow for adequate supply to
be provided in the medium to long term.
How will the rural character of the Shire be maintained?
This review considers the important role of the Shire’s rural character. By addressing issues of land
supply in the existing rural living zoned areas, Council is aiming to protect other areas of the Shire
from further inappropriate development.
In addition, the Strategy recommends that design controls be introduced into the planning
scheme to manage setbacks, large shed development and view lines from main roads and highway
corridors to manage the shire’s valued rural landscape.
What are the findings and recommendations in the Northern region (Kyneton, Malmsbury, and
Lauriston)?
The draft report indicates that there is an estimated 13 years theoretical supply of land in the
Northern region.
Council’s strategy seeks to ensure a minimum of 20 years of supply is available within each of the
Shire’s three regions. The Strategy has identified that the Northern region in the shire has less
than 15 years of supply and an outcome of the Strategy may be a future project to investigate
rezoning land in the Farming Zone to Rural Living Zone.
A number of environmental constraints affect land in the northern region of the shire. These areas
are part of water catchments and have significant landscape and biodiversity values. Any future
rezoning would need to thoroughly investigate constraints before proposing any zoning changes.
What are the findings and recommendations in the Central region (Gisborne, Riddells Creek,
Clarkefield, Macedon, Woodend, and Tylden)?
The draft report indicates that there is an estimated 17 years theoretical supply of land in the
Central region.
Rural living opportunities have been provided in this area for over 30 years. The draft Strategy
proposes changes to increase the supply in this area by:
1. Allowing smaller lots sizes in the Gisborne and Gisborne South areas. This will allow some of
the larger lots to be subdivided to a size consistent with the general pattern of subdivision in
the area.
2. There are a number of larger ‘balance lots’ remaining from previous subdivisions in this area
that have restrictions preventing future subdivision. Removing subdivision restrictions on
these lots is proposed to enable subdivision consistent with the pattern of smaller four
hectare lots in this area.
These changes would provide adequate supply for the next 20-25 years. If adopted, this course of
action will need to be considered in further detail via a planning scheme amendment process.
What are the findings and recommendations in the Eastern region (Lancefield, Romsey, and
Darraweit Guim)?
The draft report indicates that
there is an estimated 27 years
theoretical supply of rural living
zoned land in the Eastern region.
This amount of developable land
supply is considered adequate for
the longer term needs of this area.
Given this, no change is proposed
to existing planning controls in this
region.
When will the recommendations of
the Strategy be finalised?
Once all submissions have been
considered the draft Strategy will
be finalised.
The final version of the strategy is
likely be considered by Council in
April or May 2015.
If adopted, the final recommendations of the strategy will be the subject of a planning scheme
amendment process which could take a further 18-24 months to incorporate changes into the
Planning Scheme.
Where can I get more information?
Get more detail
http://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/rural-living-review
Make a submission
Before 5.30pm on 12 December 2014.
Send your submission to:
In the Rural Living Zone, MRSC, PO Box 151, Kyneton 3444 or
mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au (include In the Rural Living Zone in the subject line)
Participate in our
survey
Online at:
http://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/rural-living-review
Attend a local drop-in
event
Eastern Region - Tuesday 18 November between 6pm and 7.30pm.
Mount William Room, Romsey Service Centre, 96-100 Main Street,
Romsey.
Northern Region - Thursday 20 November between 6pm and 7.30pm.
Kyneton Mechanics Institute, 81 Mollison Street, Kyneton.
Central Region – Monday 24 November between 6pm and 7.30pm.
Gisborne Administration Centre, 40 Robertson Street, Gisborne.
RSVP for one of these sessions by contacting Council’s Strategic Policy
Development Unit on 5421 9660.
Talk with us
Phone: 5421 9660
Email: mrsc@mrsc.vic,gov.au