What is Planning Scheme Amendment C95 – Moyhu Township Development Plan about?
C95 – Moyhu Township Development Plan is a planning scheme amendment that implements recommendations from the Moyhu Township Development Plan 2024. It applies to the main established area of Moyhu and will impact surrounding land as shown in the image below:
Moyhu Township - as proposed by Amendment C95
The Moyhu Township Development Plan is a land use and development structure plan that directs the direction of growth and development for the next 30 years. It involves:
Rezoning land - that is currently designated for farming to a residential use (Farming Zone to a mix of Low Density Residential Zone & Township Zone) and changing residential zoning (From Low Density Residential Zone to Township Zone). Minimum lot sizes will be changed accordingly.
Zone changes are shown on maps in the amendment documents. Approximately 26.5 ha of land is proposed to be rezoned. Its expected that this could result in/up to approx. 130 new housing lots (which averages at 3-4 new lots per year for the next 30 years, at varying densities, however the existing rural character of the existing Township will remain).
Applying Overlays – which seek to apply controls to a specific aspect of the development of the land. Overlays are complimentary to zones. In the case of this amendment the following overlays apply (the overlay maps show where particular overlays apply):
- Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO) – to protect significant native trees and vegetation.
- Environmental Audit Overlay (EAO) – to identify areas of land which due to previous use may be potentially contaminated.
- Design and Development Overlay Schedule 10 (DDO) to guide resulting built form specifically relating to fire safety and environmental outcomes.
- Heritage Overlay (HO312-322) to recognise historically significant places.
Changes to local planning policy – which will communicate the land use and planning vision and overarching objectives for Moyhu.
Why am I receiving a notice about Amendment C95 – Moyhu Township Development Plan?
Council provides notice about Planning Scheme Amendments to give landowners and the community an opportunity to provide feedback and comments about the proposed changes to the Wangaratta Planning Scheme prior to the Council making a decision about the next step in the amendment process.
The image below summarises the key steps in the amendment process and noting that the C95 – Moyhu Township Development Plan is at Stage 2 of this process:
Directly impacted landowners, authorities and relevant Ministers can expect to receive a letter or email from Council.
Other community members will be notified more generally, the amendment is advertised in the Wangaratta Chronicle, the Victorian Government Gazette, on Councils website and at times through other social media platforms.
Where can I find information about this amendment?
You can find information this amendment in the following locations:
- Online: Councils website Planning Scheme Amendments Rural City of Wangaratta and navigating to Planning Scheme Amendment C95 Moyhu Township Development Plan.
- By phoning: 5722 0888 and asking to speak with a member of the Strategic Planning Team.
- In person: Rural City of Wangaratta 62 – 68 Ovens Street – Planning Counter (open from 9am – 4pm Monday – Wednesday, and other times by appointment only)
Moyhu Drop In Session: Join the Strategic Planning Team (no appointment necessary) at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall (24-26 Bartley Street), on Thursday 27 November between 4-6.30pm.
How will this planning scheme amendment affect me?
There are numerous ways that a planning scheme amendment can affect a community member or authority, some common examples are:
- Changes to a zone – which can directly affect a land owner. A zone change can result in changes to how you can use and develop your land and what you do and don’t need a planning permit for.
- Addition of an overlay – which can also directly affect a land owner. The addition of an overlay will result in additional actions or restrictions to any future proposed land use or development. For example the Vegetation Protection Overlay recognises and celebrates significant native trees and vegetation, however its application will result in considering any changes to land use or development and may restrict the way a tree is pruned or prevent its removal (unless it demonstrated that it poses a safety risk).
- Changes to local policy recognise that there will be changes to Moyhu over time, given that it's a location identified as having infrastructure that can cater for residential growth to support surrounding agricultural industries and within close proximity to Wangaratta (Regional City).
- The key message is that there are changes and they will impact people and groups differently, if you're unsure please contact the Strategic Planning team and we can discuss your individual circumstances.
How can I provide feedback to this Planning Scheme Amendment?
Feedback must be received in writing for Council to appropriately consider your submission.
Feedback can be:
In both cases the submission needs to specify the following information (as the minimum requirements) for it to be included as a formal submission to the amendment:
- Refer to Wangaratta Planning Scheme Amendment C95 – Moyhu Township Development Plan, in the subject line for email and the heading for physical/posted mail.
- Contain the name and contact details of the submitter. Email and phone number are preferred as it allows us to quickly and easily communicate information back to you, address is also accepted.
- State your interest in the amendment. For example, if you a land owner who is directly impacted, a land owner who may be indirectly impacted, or a group who is authorised to represent an organisation or business or other interested party.
- State whether your submission supports, objects or requests any changes to the exhibited amendment documents.
Failure to provide this information may result in your submission not being formally considered. Please note that your contact details will be used by Council to liaise with you or provide you with additional information. The content of your submission will be made publicly available during the amendment however personal details will be removed.
What happens next?
Following the conclusion of the exhibition period Council Officers will consider all the matters raised (which may involve officers contacting submitters for further information).
A decision about the next step in the amendment process. The options Council have to consider are:
- Adopt the amendment and submit for Ministerial Approval – this can only occur if there are no outstanding objecting submissions.
- Refer the amendment to an independent Planning Panel for review – if there are any outstanding unresolved matters.
- Abandon the amendment (this effectively ends the process and occurs in extreme cases).
Any Further Questions – Please contact the Strategic Planning Team:
Via email: strategicplanning@wangaratta.vic.gov.au
By phoning: 5722 0888 and asking to speak with a member of the Strategic Planning Team.
In person: Rural City of Wangaratta 62 – 68 Ovens Street – at the Planning Counter (open from 9am – 4pm Monday – Wednesdays, and other times by appointment only)