Simpler planning pathway to unlock growth in Lakes Entrance

East Gippsland Shire Council is progressing changes designed to make it easier to develop land in the Lakes Entrance Northern Growth Area (LENGA), cutting red tape and giving the town a clearer pathway to the housing growth that was earmarked for over a decade ago.

LENGA was rezoned for housing back in 2014, but growth has been slow under planning controls that were overly complex. Council has now prepared Planning Scheme Amendment C161egip to simplify those controls, support development over the next 30-plus years, and take more of the planning burden off individual landowners.

For the Lakes Entrance community, the proposed changes mean a clearer pathway to more housing in the years ahead. By removing outdated overlays and taking on more of the background planning work itself, Council is aiming to make it simpler and more attractive for landowners to bring their land forward for development while supporting the town's long-term growth.

General Manager of Projects and Planning, Chris Stephenson said the proposed changes could be a great outcome for the community.

“We've seen the pace of development over the years, and these proposed changes peel back some of the complex planning controls, which will allow landowners to develop much more easily,” Mr Stephenson said.

The key changes include:

• Removing two outdated overlays – the Development Contributions Plan Overlay and the Native Vegetation Precinct Plan – from land within the LENGA

• Simplifying the Development Plan Overlay Schedule 8, and removing it from land outside the LENGA that has already been developed

• Applying an Environmental Audit Overlay to 135 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance, due to a potential contamination risk identified in a recent assessment

• Minor updates to other parts of the planning scheme

The Amendment is on public exhibition, with submissions open until close of business Monday 21 September 2026. Submissions must include the amendment number (C161egip), the submitter's name, address and contact details, their views on the amendment, and what they'd like proposed.  

Submissions can be made by email to strategicplanning@egipps.vic.gov.au, by post to Strategic Planning, East Gippsland Shire Council, PO Box 1618, Bairnsdale VIC 3875, or by hand at any Council Service Centre.  

Full details and FAQs are available on Your Say East Gippsland, https://yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/planning-scheme-amendment-c161egip-lakes-entrance-northern-growth-area-lenga-updated-framework-plan

For questions, contact Council's Strategic Planning team on strategicplanning@egipps.vic.gov.au or 03 5153 9500.