Housing and Settlement Strategy - Discussion Paper

UPDATE - March 2023

Residents and ratepayers are having their say on the future of their region as part of community consultation on the East Gippsland Shire Council’s Housing and Settlement and Rural Land Use strategies.

More than 100 people gave feedback on the strategies, highlighting a broad range of issues for the future of settlements, housing and rural areas, including access to services and infrastructure and the character of towns. Many of the submissions emphasised the need to protect rural areas and the natural environment.

Council is currently working through the feedback as it finalises the Rural Land Use Strategy – scheduled to be considered by Council for adoption in May 2023.

Further consultation is planned for the Housing and Settlement Strategy during April and May 2023 so that community members can provide further input on the future of our towns and settlements.

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Our community is continually changing. Population growth, an ageing population, risks from natural hazards and changes to our economy present challenges and opportunities. It is estimated that East Gippsland will require an additional 5,600 dwellings by 2041.

To guide housing and settlement growth, Council is preparing a Housing and Settlement Strategy. The first stage of this project is a Discussion Paper.

The Discussion Paper summarises the key issues influencing planning for housing and settlements and presents five principles to shape the preparation of a draft Housing and Settlement Strategy:

1. Future population and housing growth should be directed to appropriate towns and settlements that are identified as suitable for potential growth.
2. Housing development should create compact towns and settlements and minimise the spread of urban areas. This may include ‘infill’ development within existing towns and settlements; better use of existing rural living zoned land; and ‘greenfield’ development in close proximity to existing towns and settlements
3. Initiatives that deliver improved affordability, diversity, and innovation in the delivery of housing to provide greater choice for residents will be supported.
4. We should maintain the unique local character of different places across East Gippsland.
5. Carefully manage development in areas prone to natural hazards to reduce the risk to human life.

To complement the Housing and Settlement Strategy, Council is also preparing a Rural Land Use Strategy to create a planning vision and framework for rural areas of East Gippsland. yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/rural-land-use-strategy-final-draft

The aim of the two strategies is to balance the need for housing and the sustainable growth of our towns and settlements with the need to protect rural areas and the natural environment.

Photo credit - Elders Real Estate, Bairnsdale