The Liberals and Nationals in government will look to unlock land for housing and industrial developments by auditing all remaining coal overlays in the Latrobe Valley.
The independent, evidence-based audit will identify any redundant or excessive overlays that can be removed via a planning scheme amendment process, and retain those where mine safety or ground stability are at risk.
The process will prioritise amendments to unlock land for housing and economic development, consistent with earthworks studies alre7ady commissioned by Latrobe City Council.
The overlays were introduced more than 40 years ago to protect future coal resources when it was envisaged the region would be home to dozens of power stations, with only four eventuating.
The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the review was long overdue and a critical step in attracting investment back to the Latrobe Valley.
“Our brown coal has powered Victoria for more than a century, but the overlays in place now are nearly 50 years old and some of them are no longer relevant,” Mr Cameron said.
“This review is about assessing which land can be sensibly rezoned and used for housing and industrial development, both of which are desperately needed in the Latrobe Valley.
“The Liberals and Nationals in government will balance the need to maintain access to our coal reserves with the need to unlock land where coal can’t be mined so we can get on with growing our economy.
“Some of the planning overlays are obsolete and preventing construction of the Traralgon bypass, locking up land in Morwell and Hazelwood North, and wasting land that could be used for housing.”
The South East Traralgon Precinct (SETP), an area of 187 hectares on the edge of town, has been identified as a residential growth zone where up to 2000 homes will be built.
The southern boundary of the SETP is covered by coal overlays that prohibit development within two kilometres of the Loy Yang mine.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Planning and Housing, David Southwick, said only The Liberals and Nationals are committed to enabling growth in the regions and driving growth back to the Valley.
“If the review deems it’s appropriate, we plan to change that buffer to one kilometre to enable the construction of 2000 shovel-ready homes,” Mr Southwick said.
“Right now, millions of dollars’ worth of development is sitting idle in the Latrobe Valley because of outdated planning overlays.
“We want every Victorian to have the best opportunity to own their own home, and we want new industries to invest, but that can’t happen if projects can’t get off the ground.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals team has a plan to deliver more homes, streamline planning processes, and revive the Victorian economy. Part of this plan to review outdated planning overlays that will deliver more housing.”
