East Gippsland Shire Council has deferred a decision on a Planning Scheme Amendment and called for detail on how a comprehensive review of the Rural Land Use Strategy could be undertaken.

At the 16 December meeting, Councillors considered a report calling for a Council direction on the Planning Scheme Amendment C170egips, which seeks to implement the key land use recommendations of the East Gippsland Rural Land Use Strategy (2023) into the East Gippsland Planning Scheme.

Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the Council decision requests officers to report to Council on how a comprehensive review of the RLUS could be undertaken to ensure it considers contemporary trends and district-based needs.  

The report will provide indicative timeframes, engagement requirements, and costs, so that these can potentially be built into Council’s 2026/27 Budget and Action Plan.

Also, any decision on Planning Scheme Amendment C170egips is deferred, and the RLUS will not be further implemented or used to inform decision making until such time as the report is fully considered by Council.

“Councillors acknowledge there are a range of views within the community regarding the adopted Rural Land Use Strategy,” Cr Ashworth said.

“We are committed to transparent and inclusive policy and strategy review. This decision reflects Council’s desire to ensure they have a strategy that will set the best possible future guidance for our region.”

Background:

• In July 2024, Council resolved to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare and amendment to the Scheme to introduce components of the RLUS into the Planning Scheme.

• The Minister provided authorisation in October 2024, however the amendment did not proceed to exhibition due to the local government election caretaker period wherein Council is unable to undertake any public engagement.

• The current Council has since been elected and Councillors have been briefed twice on the matter since their appointment, however permission to proceed with the exhibition has not been granted nor clear direction provided on how to proceed.

• This decision provides a pathway for officers and ensures East Gippsland has planning provisions into the future that will support agricultural land use.