Council
1 May, 2026
Amendment to be revised
CORANGAMITE Shire Council’s planning scheme amendment to implement the Grow Corangamite: Sustaining Our Agricultural Future Strategy is heading back to the drawing board following a vote at this week’s council meeting to revise the amendment.
The amendment – C67cora – was not authorised when it was put before the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) on February 26, due to elements of the amendment not aligning with State Government planning policy, planning practice notes and drafting conventions.
Manager regulatory services Andrew Nield said particular concerns for the DTP included agricultural land classification terminology, the regulation of timber production through the proposed Farming Zone and aspects of renewable energy policy.
“The review finds that the primary issue for council is not the intent of the strategy, but the way that intent has been translated into planning scheme controls through Amendment C67cora,” he said.
“One of the key reasons the amendment was not authorised relates to the description and mapping of agricultural land.
“The amendment relies on the terminology ‘state and regionally significant agricultural land’, which is not clearly defined or supported within the Victorian Planning Provisions.
“DTP considers this approach problematic, as it risks local planning policy encroaching into the role of state policy.
“This concern is reinforced by recent State Government advice, including the Victorian Government response to Inquiry into securing the Victorian Food Supply, indicating a shift away from ranking agricultural land according to levels of “significance”, and towards recognising the importance of all productive agricultural land.”
The amendment underwent an independent review, confirming the strategy was based on a strong body of evidence, but a number of alterations are required.
This includes making references to high and very high-quality productive agricultural land, revising local planning policy to compliment rather than replicate or extend State policy, rewording renewable energy policy provisions and strengthening the strategic justification of the proposed 40-hctare timber production permit trigger.
“The most contested element of the amendment is the proposed requirement for a planning permit for timber production on land exceeding 40 hectares in the Farming Zone,” Mr Neild said.
“DTP has expressed concern that this control could unduly restrict timber production, which is recognised as an agricultural use and is becoming increasingly important at the state level following the cessation of native forest harvesting in Victoria.
“As a result, the review identifies a key decision point for council – either strengthen the strategic and technical justification for the permit trigger or defer or remove it to allow the remainder of the amendment to proceed.”
Mr Nield said another major area of concern was the renewable energy policy.
“Corangamite Shire contains two major Renewable Energy Zones, and state and regional policies strongly support the development of renewable energy infrastructure,” he said.
“The proposed local policy currently places a strong emphasis on avoiding renewable energy development on agricultural land, which conflicts with higher‑level policy directions.
“The review recommends reframing this policy to support renewable energy projects where they are appropriately located and capable of co‑existing with ongoing agricultural activities.
“This approach would better align with state policy while still enabling council to manage potential land‑use and amenity impacts.”
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