The Bellarine Peninsula is now protected for decades to come under the Victorian government’s newly-released Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) for the area.
With the Bellarine declared a ‘distinctive area and landscape’ under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the region’s future growth will be managed under the SPP to protect the peninsula’s environmental and historical features for future generations.
Victorian Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny released the policy on Thursday, August 10, which locks in protected settlement boundaries for all townships on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Town boundaries of Barwon Heads, Clifton Springs, Curlewis, Drysdale, Leopold, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff, are now law and are protected for at least the next 50 years and can now only be changed through support of both houses of state parliament.
Planning minister Sonya Kilkenny said the SPP would help the Bellarine Peninsula achieve a more resilient and sustainable future.
“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,” she said.
“Through our distinctive area and landscape legislation, we are providing the highest planning protection for Victoria’s most iconic and environmentally sensitive areas.”
The SPP was prepared in consultation with Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung, the Borough of Queenscliffe, the City of Greater Geelong and the public.
The member for the Bellarine Alison Marchant welcomed the protections offered by the 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,” Ms Marchant said.
