The combined community associations of the Bellarine Peninsula are ramping up their events to protect the area from over development.
The Bellarine was declared a Distinctive Areas and Landscapes under the Planning and Environment Act L987 on October 31, 2019, meaning it would be permanently protected from over development.
However the combined community associations of the peninsula – Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Portarlington, Drysdale Clifton Springs Curlewis – are concerned that several parcels of land that fall outside the towns’ boundaries will be earmarked for development.
The combined associations held a public rally at Ocean Grove Nature Reserve on August 5 and will hold another on Sunday August 14 at St Leonards.
“Most will be aware of the Bellarine DAL and its intent to keep development within the existing Bellarine town boundaries,” Ocean Grove Community Association said in a statement.
“Protecting the Bellarine was one of the state government’s election promises at the last election.
“The decision is now in the hands of the Minister for Planning and waiting for her (or her nominated alternative minister) decision and announcement. We are approaching what we hope is the final hurdle.”
The combined associations released a map of what it says “illustrates the land on the Bellarine that may be subject to future development if the state government doesn’t honour its election promise to protect the Bellarine”.
“It is based on a map from the Bellarine DAL process,” it said.
“The illustrative map depicts land owned by owners or developers who oppose the proposed settlement boundaries is shown.”
Sunday’s rally is at Edwards Point, St Leonards at 10.30am.
