Rural Land Use Strategy

UPDATE - February 2026

The report requested by Council at the 16 December 2025 Council Meeting is scheduled to be considered at the 17 March 2026 Council Meeting. 

Once the meeting agenda has been confirmed, the report will be available on our website from 4pm Friday 13 March 2026.

Meeting Minutes and Agendas 

UPDATE - December 2025

At the 16 December 2025 Council Meeting, Council resolved the following:

That Council  

1. notes that the proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C170egip relies on the East Gippsland Rural Land Use Strategy that was commenced almost a decade ago and therefore doesn’t reflect recent changes in the region’s primary industries and the increase in non-agricultural activity occurring within the Farm Zone;   

2. confirms its understanding that there are a range of views held across the East Gippsland community about the adopted East Gippsland Rural Land Use Strategy; 

3. requests that Officers report to Council on how a comprehensive review of the Rural Land Use Strategy could be undertaken to ensure that the Strategy considers contemporary trends and District-based needs. This report should also provide indicative timeframes; engagement requirements; and costs, so that these can potentially be built into the 2026/27 Annual Budget and Action Plan;  

4. defers any decision on Planning Scheme Amendment C170egip until such time as the report requested in Recommendation 3 is received and fully considered by Council;  

5. requests that the Chief Executive Officer ensures that the East Gippsland Rural Land Use Strategy (2023) is not further implemented or used to inform decision making until such time as the report requested in Recommendation 3 is fully considered by Council; and  

6. authorises the Chief Executive Officer or delegate to provide a public statement on this decision. 

Officers will draft a report for Council consideration in early 2026.

UPDATE - July 2023

East Gippsland Shire Council has voted to adopt a Rural Land Use Strategy at its Council Meeting held on Tuesday 25 July 2023. The adoption marks a significant milestone in Council’s efforts to support East Gippsland's farming communities and protect our agricultural land for future generations.

The final Rural Land Use Strategy is in the Documents library on this page or use this link to access the Council Meeting Minutes and Agendas (eastgippsland.vic.gov.au).

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Project background

The Rural Land Use Strategy creates a planning vision and framework that seeks to support agriculture and rural industries, promote opportunities in rural tourism, and recognise and protect important environmental, cultural and landscape values. The strategy will apply to all privately owned rural land in East Gippsland.

Preparation of the Rural Land Use Strategy is underpinned by the following principles:

• Protect and enhance productive farmland and farmland of strategic significance to support food and fibre production.
• Facilitate innovation and growth of the agricultural sector to leverage competitive advantages and strengthen the economy.
• Encourage rural and nature-based tourism to augment and diversify the Shire’s agricultural and environmental values.
• Protect and enhance environmental values, including biodiversity, landscapes and water quality.
• Respond to the challenges and threats associated with a changing climate and natural hazards.
• Challenge the legacy of dwelling development and fragmentation of land in productive farming areas.
• Support population retention for a sustainable and prosperous future in isolated rural communities.