Mildura Planning Scheme Review 2018

Current status

The project is now complete with the final Mildura Planning Scheme Review Report being adopted 24 April 2019.

History of the project

An initial round of consultation was undertaken between 27 November 2017 and 12 January 2018 to identify key issues and concerns with the Mildura Planning Scheme. This round of consultation consisted of four workshops with stakeholders and the opportunity to provide feedback.

A great variety of issues were raised through this stage of the project, including:

• The establishment of budget accommodation outside the urban area to support seasonal workers.
• A desire to re-examine issues related to the settlement strategy for Mildura, particularly property issues pertaining to the Mildura Older Irrigation Area (MOIA).
• Issues related to renewable energy, including household solar generation and the location of commercial-scale facilities.
• Policy and planning provisions relating to Benetook Avenue and the truck bypass.
• Updates and improvements to the environmental policies within the planning scheme.
• A desire to examine policies relating to retail locations and support for investment in local industries and job creation.
• Monitoring and control of the weed Cumbungi at Lake Cullulleraine, and creation of an exemption within the planning scheme.
• The zoning of the Hattah township.
• The establishment of a Merbein South Growth Area.
• Various requests for zoning and overlay changes relating to specific properties.

• Recommendations can be found on the project bulletin (pdf download) below.
• The recommendations resulting from Round 1 of consultation were tested in Round 2 and detailed in the Draft Report (pdf download below).
• The draft report was exhibited for formal comment from 16 November to 14 December 2019. 
• Submissions were considered and recommendations regarding a response to submissions put to Council at the 24 April 2019 Ordinary Meeting.  Council adopted the draft report at this meeting.  The Agenda and Minutes of that meeting are available for download from Council's website.

Background

What is a Planning Scheme?

The Mildura Planning Scheme sets out the long-term vision for Mildura Rural City Council in respect to land use and sets objectives and policies around social, economic and environmental change.

The Planning Scheme regulates the use and development of land through planning provisions, which require residents and developers to gain planning permission for some activities, such as building, subdividing land or removing vegetation.

Why review the Planning Scheme?

The Planning and Environment Act 1987 requires Council to review its Planning Scheme every four years to make sure it is up-to-date, delivers state planning policy, provides clear directions for planning decisions and is user-friendly. It also needs to consider how the municipality has changed since the previous review of the planning scheme in 2014 , and to address how it is likely to change in the next 20 years.

A copy of the previous, 2014 Mildura Planning Scheme Review can be found on Council’s website here http://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Services/Planning-Building/Strategic-Planning/Mildura-Planning-Scheme/Reference-Documents

The first step in the review will be to commission research into the existing and emerging issues for planning in Mildura, which is currently underway.

More information

If you would like to discuss the Mildura Planning Scheme Review or inspect a copy of the planning scheme, please visit us at the:

Deakin Avenue Service Centre, 76 Deakin Avenue, Mildura VIC

To access the Mildura Planning Scheme online please visit: http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/mildura

A Victorian Government website to learn about the planning system in Victoria and find helpful documentation to assist you in understanding it.

https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/planning-in-victoria/a-guide-to-the-planning-system

Sign up for project updates

The community will have many chances to have their say during the project, at events, via surveys and online feedback forms. Please register your interest by providing your details via email to planning.services@mildura.vic.gov.au , and specifically stating if you would like to be involved in the upcoming workshops.

Project progress/timeline

Event	Comment/Date
Consultation Round 1	27 November 2017 to 12 January 2018
Consultation Round 2	7 September 2018 to 1 October 2018
Public Exhibition of Final Report	16 November 2018 to 14 December 2018
Review of Submissions	December 2018
Adoption by Council	24 April 2019