About the project
Latrobe City Council is currently working towards the implementation of a Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) for the South East Traralgon growth area. Together with an accompanying Development Contributions Plan (DCP) and Native Vegetation Precinct Plan (NVPP), the PSP, once incorporated into the Latrobe Planning Scheme, will guide the long-term residential development of the precinct.
The precinct covers an area of approximately 187 ha and contains 94 parcels of land. Located on the south-east edge of Traralgon the land is currently zoned a mix of General Residential Zone (GRZ), Rural Living Zone (RLZ) and Farming Zone (FZ).
A PSP is a ‘big picture’ plan that sets the vision for developing new communities and is the primary plan for guiding development in growth areas. PSP’s identify where main roads, shopping centres, schools, parks, housing, employment areas, infrastructure and connections to transport will be located.
The South East Traralgon precinct is identified as a residential growth area in the Traralgon Structure Plan which forms part of the Latrobe Planning Scheme. The PSP will ensure that future development in this area is well planned and coordinated.
Project status
With the assistance of the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA), Council has prepared a draft Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), Development Contributions Plan (DCP) and Native Vegetation Precinct Plan (NVPP) for the South East Traralgon precinct. The PSP is informed by a number of technical background reports:
- Retail assessment
- Traffic assessment
- Community infrastructure assessment
- Flora & Fauna assessment
- Stormwater and drainage strategy
- Public open space assessment
- Bushfire risk assessment
Following the completion of a draft PSP, the next stage in the planning process is for the documents to be exhibited and considered for approval through a planning scheme amendment.
To commence a planning scheme amendment process, authorisation must be granted by the Minister for Planning.
Council requested authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare and exhibit proposed Amendment C134 to implement the South East Traralgon PSP on 16 December 2021. Once authorised by the Minister for Planning, Council would be able to place the proposed amendment, including the draft PSP and associated documents, on public exhibition and invite submissions from landowners, stakeholders and the community.
The Minister for Planning refused authorisation on 24 December 2021. The refusal is based on advice from the Minister for Resources that until further geotechnical investigations have been completed by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) the risks remain too uncertain to support urban growth on the subject land.
Council has written to the Minister for Planning seeking that he reconsider this position as Council strongly believes that there is no reasonable basis to defer the planning scheme amendment process from commencing to exhibition.
Following Amendment C87 implementing the Traralgon Growth Areas Review in 2017, Council sought the views of the Minister for Resources about the suitability of the established mine buffer which is implemented through the Environmental Significance Overlay – Schedule 1 (ESO1) and forms the southern boundary of the precinct. Acting for the Minister for Resources, DJPR considers that further geotechnical investigation is required in relation to the extent of ground movement and the future rehabilitation of the mine, and whether these could have implications on development beyond the established mine buffer (up to 2km from the crest of the mine).
Latrobe City Council has previously commissioned two geotechnical reports concluding that land stability in its current operation is not a constraint to development of the precinct. However, these reports did not consider possible impacts from mine rehabilitation on the basis that it is the responsibility of the mine operator that rehabilitation does not increase the risk of ground subsidence beyond the established mine buffer.
Council officers concluded that the most effective way to progress the SETPSP is to address DJPRs (now DEECA) concerns. Therefore in 2022 Council commissioned a geotechnical study to understand the risks the various rehabilitation strategies available pose to the South East Traralgon growth area and the impacts they may have. Councils study demonstrates that rehabilitation of the mine could result in ground movement but that any ground movement would be well within acceptable levels for urban development.
In February 2023 Council officers presented the findings of the 2022 study to representatives of the Minister for Energy and Resources (previously the Minister for Resources) and the Minister for Planning. These representatives are currently reviewing the study and will provide advice to Council in due course.
Note* After the 2022 Victorian State Election in November, the State Government undertook a significant restructure of the responsibility of Victoria’s government departments. This means moving forward there will be different acronyms for the government departments Council is working with to progress the SETPSP.
Next steps
Latrobe City Council is currently waiting for advice from the State Government to know if it is satisfied that the risks are acceptable enough to allow a planning scheme amendment. If this advice is received, a report will be prepared for Council to consider authorisation of a new planning scheme amendment and lodge with the Minister for Planning for consideration. Latrobe City Council will continue to consider the options available to us to progress the PSP and advocate for a response from the State Government.
Latrobe City Council does warn though that, should we be allowed to undertake a planning scheme amendment, it is not guaranteed that the PSP will be adopted. Nor is it guaranteed that if Council progresses an alternative option to facilitate development, that the Minister for Planning won’t intercede in that process.
A copy of the PSP Process Sheet is provided in the ‘More Information’ section below, this provides an overview of the next steps.
Council have formally requested the Minister for Planning to reconsider our request for authorisation to prepare and exhibit the proposed amendment and draft PSP.
More information
For more information about the South East Traralgon PSP and the PSP process:
Latrobe City Council has completed another precinct structure plan within the municipality, located between Lake Narracan and the existing Moe/Newborough township. View the Lake Narracan precinct structure plan (PSP) from the endorsed development plans to understand the outcome of that PSP.
Contact us
If you would like more information or to discuss this project phone 1300 367 700 or email urbangrowth@latrobe.vic.gov.au or Latrobe@Latrobe.vic.gov.au