FAQs
- Defined settlement roles and futures will guide residential development to provide improved residential environments for the wellbeing of people.
- Compact towns and settlements will be supported to enable the efficient and sustainable use of land, support viable and liveable communities, and ensure future residents have good housing opportunities with easy access to facilities and services.
- Initiatives that deliver improved housing affordability, diversity, and innovation will be supported to provide greater choice for residents throughout all stages of life, including more people.
- The unique character of towns and settlements will be maintained and enhanced for people to live in a pleasant environment.
- Well designed and resource-efficient developments that contribute to creating more sustainable towns and settlements will be supported for people to live in environmentally friendly neighbourhoods.
- Development in areas of environmental and landscape significance and at risk of natural hazards will be managed to preserve natural resources and keep people safe.
- Complete the online survey.
- Phone 03 5153 9500 or visit a Council Customer Service Centre or Library to request a hardcopy of the draft Strategy and survey form. Please ensure your survey envelope is post-marked on or before the 27 May 2023.
- Provide a written submission via email or hard copy letter. Please ensure your letter is post-marked on or before the 27 May 2023 or send to feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
- Attend an interactive community session near you. These sessions are designed for you to drop in at a time convenient for you and discuss your thoughts on the future of housing and settlements in East Gippsland. It is not essential, but you can register to let us know you are planning to attend and ensure you receive any updates about the session time and place you select - Draft Housing and Settlement Strategy | Your Say East Gippsland
- Buchan Recreation Reserve - 5.30-7.30pm, Tuesday 2 May 2023
- Omeo Recreation Reserve - 4.30-6.30pm, Wednesday 3 May 2023
- Paynesville Service Centre - 4.30-6.30pm, Monday 8 May 2023
- Bairnsdale Library - 4.30-6.30pm, Thursday 11 May 2023
- Mallacoota Mud Brick Pavilion - 5.30-7.30pm, Tuesday 16 May 2023
- Cann River Community Centre - 12-2pm, Wednesday 17 May 2023
- Orbost Service Centre - 4.30-6.30pm, Wednesday 17 May 2023
- Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall - 4.30-6.30pm, Monday 22 May 2023
- Goongerah Hall - 1-3pm, Friday 26 May 2023
Are you looking to develop, buy or sell land?
Are you living in an area identified for future growth?
Is there scope for your land to be subdivided or developed for housing?
Is the area you live in at risk from natural hazards or other environmental constraints?
Existing population size and number of dwellings.
Extent of commercial activity.
Infrastructure servicing including reticulated services (water, sewer etc.).
How land in the towns is currently used.
Local environmental features and risk from natural hazards (bushfire, flood etc.).
Opportunities for more diverse housing (including smaller homes) in locations that are already well serviced, making better use of existing infrastructure.
Opportunities to innovate in the type of housing built that is environmentally sustainable and climate resilient.
A reduction in the need to rezone ‘greenfield’ land. Noting the extent of some of our towns and settlements is limited by environmental constraints and natural hazard risks (e.g. flood and fire).
The vibrancy and activity in our towns and settlements is enhanced through an increased mix of uses and people.
Complete the online survey on this page.
Phone Council or visit a Customer Service Centre or Library to request a hardcopy version of the draft Strategy and Survey form. Please ensure your survey envelope is post-marked on or before the 27 May 2023.
Provide a written submission via email or letter. Please ensure your letter is post-marked on or before the 27 May 2023.
Attend an interactive community session near you. You can register to let us know you are planning to attend and ensure you receive any updates about the session time and place you select.
Project overview - Draft Housing and Settlement Strategy
Our community is continually changing. Population growth, an ageing population, risks from natural hazards and changes to our economy present challenges and opportunities.
To guide housing and settlement growth, Council has prepared a draft Housing and Settlement Strategy and we want your ideas about planning for our existing and future communities, for our children and our new residents to all live happy, healthy lives in suitable housing and sustainable settlements.
This is the second stage of the project, following public consultation of the Housing and Settlement Discussion Paper from November 2022 to February 2023. The draft Strategy has been prepared considering feedback received from government agencies, stakeholders from the planning building and real estate industry, and over 74 survey responses and 21 written submissions in response to the Discussion Paper.
It is estimated that East Gippsland will require an additional 8,250 dwellings by 2041.
The draft Housing and Settlement Strategy outlines the role towns and settlements will play in accommodating projected growth and recommends six principles to guide housing and population growth in East Gippsland:
To complement the Housing and Settlement Strategy, Council is also finalising a Rural Land Use Strategy to create a planning vision and policy framework for rural areas of East Gippsland.
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.
Feedback on the draft Housing and Settlement Strategy is open until 27 May 2023. There are four ways to give feedback:
Session Times and Locations:
Why is a Housing and Settlement Strategy required?
Access to appropriate and safe housing is a human right. In addition to providing physical shelter, appropriate housing supports people’s social, emotional and cultural wellbeing. However, equitable access to appropriate housing is a challenge across Australia and these challenges are also being experienced in East Gippsland.
Across East Gippsland it is estimated that there will be demand for an additional 8,250 dwellings by 2041. This demand is not expected to be distributed equally across East Gippsland.
A Housing and Settlement Strategy is needed to guide the right type of housing in the right locations to meet the needs of people in our community, protect the character and environmental values of East Gippsland and provide diverse and sustainable housing for years to come.
What does a Housing and Settlement Strategy do?
The purpose of the East Gippsland Housing and Settlement Strategy is to understand housing needs and guide future housing development in East Gippsland to 2041. The Strategy will provide greater certainty as to where people can expect to see new housing developed, the type of housing that is anticipated and outline options and opportunities. It will guide Council’s decision-making processes and inform further policy development and infrastructure investment.
The Strategy will outline the preferred locations and type of new housing development, taking into account the availability of infrastructure and services to support population growth, environmental values and risks from natural hazards such as bushfire or flood. This includes creating a framework that supports development of affordable housing and a diversity of housing types to meet the needs of different people at different times in their lives. The Strategy will also encourage sustainable development that protects areas of environmental significance and responds to natural hazards.
How will the Housing and Settlement Strategy affect me?
It is important to note that this is a draft Housing and Settlement Strategy so there will be no immediate changes as a result of this document. This stage of the project is intended to listen to feedback to refine and improve Council’s strategic direction for settlement growth and housing development.
Once Council has adopted the Strategy, how it affects you will depend on your personal circumstances and location such as;
This strategy is about the future of our community, the people in it and how and where we live. Our lives are different so the impact will vary from person to person. Please contact Council or attend one of our drop in sessions to find out more information.
What was the purpose of the Housing and Settlement Strategy Discussion Paper and previous consultation?
The Discussion Paper introduced the project and identified key issues to be addressed by the draft Strategy. It also introduced the key principles to guide housing and settlement growth in East Gippsland. The Discussion Paper allowed scope for input from the community and stakeholders into the development and shaping of the draft Strategy.
The consultation showed support for town and settlement categories and the five principles outlined in the Discussion Paper and led to the addition of a sixth principle regarding sustainable and resource-efficient housing development.
The HSS Discussion Paper Engagement Report provides the feedback received in detail, and how the draft Strategy has responded to the feedback.
What is the purpose of a draft Strategy, and how does it differ from the Discussion Paper?
This project is being delivered in stages to enable community and key stakeholders the opportunity to influence the development of policy. The response to the Discussion Paper informed the drafting of policy in the draft Housing and Settlement Strategy.
Feedback on the draft Strategy is an important stage of the project and ensures that what is presented to Council for endorsement has been shaped by community input and responds to community expectations. Once finalised, the Housing and Settlement Strategy will guide decision-making on development proposals in the shire when it becomes part of the planning scheme.
What is the Housing and Settlement Strategy Discussion Paper?
The Discussion Paper informs the strategy by introducing the project, providing findings, discussing key issues and presenting the key principles to guide housing and settlement growth in East Gippsland.
Why is this a Discussion Paper and not a draft strategy?
The project is being delivered in stages to enable community and key stakeholders the opportunity to influence the development of policy. The Discussion Paper sets out the key principles that will inform policy in the draft Housing and Settlement Strategy.
Where is housing growth likely to occur?
The draft Strategy identifies categories for each town and settlement across East Gippsland that guides the level of anticipated growth The categories for towns and settlements have been prepared taking into account:
As the regional centre, Bairnsdale is identified as the preferred location for the highest level of future population growth and residential development. Service Towns including Paynesville and Lakes Entrance are identified as secondary locations for future growth.
The draft Strategy also offers support for appropriate development in rural towns, remote settlements and rural districts. This will be achieved primarily through infill development in established residential areas, subject to risk from natural hazards (bushfire, flood) and environmental constraints. In remote settlements and rural districts dwelling development that is not associated with the agricultural use of Farming Zone land is generally not supported, unless it is justified to support population retention.
Can’t we just keep growing around the edge of our towns?
One of the important principles that will guide growth of housing and settlements is that
“Housing development that creates compact towns and settlements will be supported to enable the efficient and sustainable use of land and infrastructure.”
Benefits to support this have been identified such as:
Feedback received during the Discussion Paper period made it clear that people want growth to occur in a way that does not compromise resident’s access to quality, well maintained infrastructure (including utilities, telecoms, open space, roads and other active transport modes) and services (including health, education and retail).
Does the draft Housing and Settlement Strategy consider housing in rural areas?
Yes, whilst there is currently an adequate supply of rural living land available, the draft Strategy identifies longer term opportunities to increase the supply of rural living opportunities within the existing Rural Living Zoned areas (not requiring the rezoning of farming land for rural living purposes). A separate Rural Land Use Strategy to create a planning vision and framework for rural areas of East Gippsland is nearing completion 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.
Low Density Residential Zoned land also provides an option for lifestyle dwelling opportunities on larger allotments. The draft Housing and Settlement Strategy provides recommendations on increasing the supply of Low Density residential land in the longer term.
Does the Discussion Paper consider housing in rural areas?
Yes, it identifies opportunities to increase the supply of rural living opportunities within the existing Rural Living Zoned areas (not requiring the rezoning of farming land for rural living purposes).
How will the Strategy support housing in remote settlements?
The strategy makes specific reference to population retention and attraction to support remote settlements. It proposes greater flexibility to allow dwellings in the farming zone where they will support the local population, subject to environmental risks and hazards. The strategy is proposing that settlements outside a 50km radius from the larger towns would be treated with more flexibility. There may be other ways of identifying these settlements and we welcome feedback on options to achieve this outcome.
What is Council doing about housing affordability?
While not a direct provider of social or affordable housing or housing services, the ongoing development of the Housing and Settlement Strategy will allow Council to define its role in facilitating access to diverse and affordable housing opportunities for our community. The Discussion Paper included research into the issue of housing affordability in East Gippsland. Objective 5 of the draft Strategy outlines our approach to advocating and developing policy to support delivery of more social and affordable housing options.
What is infill development?
Infill development is the use of unused or underutilised land in established housing areas for further development. Townhouses, units, low scale apartment buildings, as well as shop-top housing are examples of infill development. The existing character of a place, and the level of growth it is identified for will guide the type of infill development most suited to the town or settlement, where it occurs.
Infill development is generally encouraged in locations close to the centre of towns where access to services and infrastructure allow for the increased density of housing and population.
What does infill development mean for me?
Infill housing development is critical to accommodating growth and redesigning our towns and settlements to be environmentally and socially sustainable. It provides greater opportunities for a diversity of housing types, making better provision for different housing needs, affordability, stages of life and lifestyle choices and is generally in areas with better access to services, transport, and jobs which ensures more efficient use of infrastructure and amenities.
If a property in an established residential area has potential for infill housing, it does not mean that it must provide infill housing; it provides an opportunity to investigate infill housing options.
In assessing proposals for infill housing, Council will ensure that development is respectful to the amenity and character of the surrounding area. An outcome of the Housing and Settlement Strategy includes the preparation of guidelines for infill housing design to ensure that design standards are of a high quality.
What is greenfield land?
Greenfield land is land previously undeveloped for residential or other urban uses and is typically agricultural or rural land on the edge of a town.
The draft Housing and Settlement Strategy identifies that there is currently an adequate supply of greenfield land to support residential development and population growth to 2041. No additional greenfield land is identified as part of the Draft Housing and Settlement Strategy.
Who has been involved in the development of the Discussion Paper?
Development of the draft Strategy has included detailed research and communication with local service authorities (e.g. East Gippsland Water) and service providers (e.g. Gippsland Homelessness Network) and with businesses involved in the housing market (e.g. development consultants, real estate agents).
Community feedback was sought through the Discussion Paper between November 2022 and February 2023 and feedback has shaped the draft Strategy as outlined in the Engagement Report.
How can I have my say?
The draft Housing and Settlement Strategy is available for comment until Friday 27 May 2023.
All feedback will be considered in the preparation of the final Housing and Settlement Strategy.
There are a range of ways to give your feedback, and we encourage you to choose an option that suits you best:
Will my comments make any difference?
Your feedback is important. This is a draft Strategy that will be further refined, where appropriate, based on community feedback. Your submission will be considered as part of the preparation of the final Housing and Settlement Strategy. For an example of how feedback will be responded to, you can view the Engagement Report from the previous Discussion Paper stage.
What will the interactive sessions include?
The interactive sessions will be tailored to each place. Most sessions will include a range of activities that you can participate in that will help you understand the components of the draft Strategy and provide your feedback. Council Officers will be available to talk through your ideas and concerns in whatever detail suits you. There will also be options to pick up hardcopy surveys and do your survey online. Refreshments will be provided, and all ages are welcome.
There will be no formal presentation during the session. You are encouraged to drop into the session at any time during the two-hour period, we recommend you make a minimum of 20 minutes available.
In very small sessions, the activities may be replaced by a round table discussion. Let us know if you are planning to attend a session.
In all sessions respectful communication is required towards staff and other community members.