Provide feedback on the Longwarry Structure Plan (Planning Scheme Amendment C152)

Consultation has concluded

This consultation has now closed. 

We would like to thank our community members who took the time to provide their feedback.

What is the Longwarry Structure Plan?

The Longwarry Structure Plan is a long-term strategic vision for the future growth of the Longwarry township. It considers land uses, open space areas, connectivity, land supply, and the environment to provide guidance for decisions about development proposals, investments and infrastructure improvements for the town.

The Plan provides a clear planning framework that addresses land use challenges and constraints affecting Longwarry. It was adopted by Council on 14 December 2022.

Why is a Structure Plan important for Longwarry?

Population growth and change over the past decade in Longwarry has increased the demand for community services and facilities, and local employment. In addition, Longwarry experiences heavy through traffic, flooding and ground water issues.

The Plan is the required framework to clearly identify the defined town centre area, and direction for surrounding land uses.

Implementing the Longwarry Structure Plan will assist Baw Baw Shire Council in introducing new and updated planning controls that best reflect the context of Longwarry, and to identify what infrastructure is required to support a growing population.

Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb is an initial phase of implementing the necessary planning tools to strategically facilitate growth and change.

What is Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb?

Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb seeks to implement recommendations of the Longwarry Structure Plan by making changes to the Planning Policy Framework of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme.

What specific changes are being proposed by amendment C152?

The amendment proposes to implement the following changes to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme:

  • Updating Local Planning Policy at Clause 11.01-1L-03 of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme and amending the Longwarry Framework Plan in line with the recommendations of the Longwarry Structure Plan
  • Including the Longwarry Structure (Framework) Plan as a Background Document at Clause 72.08
  • Updating Clause 74.02, Schedule 1 to include recommendations of the Plan as Further Strategic Work.

Current Stage: Abandonment

At the 12 February 2025 Council Meeting, Council resolved to abandon amendment C152bawb.  

In accordance with Section 28 (2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Council must include a statement of reasons for the decision. 

The reasons that Council resolved to abandon amendment C152bawb were included in the Council Meeting report and are provided as follows:

  • Melbourne Water, the Floodplain Management Authority for the Longwarry area objected to amendment C152bawb. As the Floodplain Management Authority, Melbourne Water have jurisdiction over the complex drainage systems and have a strong understanding of the flood hazard that poses a challenge to the existing township, community and infrastructure through flood mapping and responsibilities for drainage and waterway management.  The position of the Floodplain Management Authority would hold significant weight throughout the Planning Scheme Amendment process and has been given due consideration.
  • The Melbourne Water submission recommends the completion of an extensive list of further strategic work as follows:
  • Preparation of a local Floodplain Management Strategy Framework
  • Preparation of a revised Flood and Drainage Strategy (Underway)
  • Investigation of the feasibility of a Drainage Development Contributions Plan
  • Revisions of existing flood study for the existing township and proposed growth areas for the 1% AEP flood extent, including climate change and planning horizon towards the year 2100
  • Preparation of an amendment to implement updated flood controls to land identified within the 1% AEP flood extent
  • Review and investigate all existing drainage assets to determine ownership and management responsibilities.

This work is not currently budgeted, and it is unknown how long it would take to complete.

  • Melbourne Water have noted that the completion of the additional strategic work may not result in a feasible or supportable position to consider further intensification or rezonings in Longwarry, due to the significant flood hazard.
  • Abandoning the amendment given the objection from Melbourne Water ensures consistency and compliance with relevant State strategies and legislation, including the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy (2016), Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Roles and Responsibilities under Victorian legislation (2020), Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Local Government Act 2020.

Amendment C152Bawb has been abandoned and is now concluded.  

This consultation has now closed. 

We would like to thank our community members who took the time to provide their feedback.

What is the Longwarry Structure Plan?

The Longwarry Structure Plan is a long-term strategic vision for the future growth of the Longwarry township. It considers land uses, open space areas, connectivity, land supply, and the environment to provide guidance for decisions about development proposals, investments and infrastructure improvements for the town.

The Plan provides a clear planning framework that addresses land use challenges and constraints affecting Longwarry. It was adopted by Council on 14 December 2022.

Why is a Structure Plan important for Longwarry?

Population growth and change over the past decade in Longwarry has increased the demand for community services and facilities, and local employment. In addition, Longwarry experiences heavy through traffic, flooding and ground water issues.

The Plan is the required framework to clearly identify the defined town centre area, and direction for surrounding land uses.

Implementing the Longwarry Structure Plan will assist Baw Baw Shire Council in introducing new and updated planning controls that best reflect the context of Longwarry, and to identify what infrastructure is required to support a growing population.

Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb is an initial phase of implementing the necessary planning tools to strategically facilitate growth and change.

What is Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb?

Planning Scheme Amendment C152bawb seeks to implement recommendations of the Longwarry Structure Plan by making changes to the Planning Policy Framework of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme.

What specific changes are being proposed by amendment C152?

The amendment proposes to implement the following changes to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme:

  • Updating Local Planning Policy at Clause 11.01-1L-03 of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme and amending the Longwarry Framework Plan in line with the recommendations of the Longwarry Structure Plan
  • Including the Longwarry Structure (Framework) Plan as a Background Document at Clause 72.08
  • Updating Clause 74.02, Schedule 1 to include recommendations of the Plan as Further Strategic Work.

Current Stage: Abandonment

At the 12 February 2025 Council Meeting, Council resolved to abandon amendment C152bawb.  

In accordance with Section 28 (2) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Council must include a statement of reasons for the decision. 

The reasons that Council resolved to abandon amendment C152bawb were included in the Council Meeting report and are provided as follows:

  • Melbourne Water, the Floodplain Management Authority for the Longwarry area objected to amendment C152bawb. As the Floodplain Management Authority, Melbourne Water have jurisdiction over the complex drainage systems and have a strong understanding of the flood hazard that poses a challenge to the existing township, community and infrastructure through flood mapping and responsibilities for drainage and waterway management.  The position of the Floodplain Management Authority would hold significant weight throughout the Planning Scheme Amendment process and has been given due consideration.
  • The Melbourne Water submission recommends the completion of an extensive list of further strategic work as follows:
  • Preparation of a local Floodplain Management Strategy Framework
  • Preparation of a revised Flood and Drainage Strategy (Underway)
  • Investigation of the feasibility of a Drainage Development Contributions Plan
  • Revisions of existing flood study for the existing township and proposed growth areas for the 1% AEP flood extent, including climate change and planning horizon towards the year 2100
  • Preparation of an amendment to implement updated flood controls to land identified within the 1% AEP flood extent
  • Review and investigate all existing drainage assets to determine ownership and management responsibilities.

This work is not currently budgeted, and it is unknown how long it would take to complete.

  • Melbourne Water have noted that the completion of the additional strategic work may not result in a feasible or supportable position to consider further intensification or rezonings in Longwarry, due to the significant flood hazard.
  • Abandoning the amendment given the objection from Melbourne Water ensures consistency and compliance with relevant State strategies and legislation, including the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy (2016), Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Roles and Responsibilities under Victorian legislation (2020), Planning and Environment Act 1987 and Local Government Act 2020.

Amendment C152Bawb has been abandoned and is now concluded.