Draft Municipal Planning Strategy released for public feedback

Published on 10 June 2022

Nillumbik’s draft Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) has been released for community feedback.

The MPS sits at the front of Nillumbik Planning Scheme, providing the vision and foundation for the Nillumbik Planning Scheme’s local policies and strategic directions for land use and development in the Shire.

The MPS is a high-level strategy within the Planning Scheme. It identifies key influences, issues and objectives regarding land use and development that are unique to a local government area, but does not outline or detail the use of specific planning controls such as zones and overlays.

The draft strategy outlines the importance of the urban tree canopy and neighbourhood character, protection of the urban growth boundary, the protection and conservation of biodiversity, the natural environment, and cultural heritage, as well as living more sustainably and managing fire risk among others.

Nillumbik Mayor Frances Eyre said the strategy was a crucial blueprint for a shire known for its Green Wedge.

“This strategy, while very high-level, will guide future land use and development planning in our Shire,” Cr Eyre said.

“The results of two phases of community consultation in 2021 have been important in the development of the draft.

“Now we want to know if we’ve got it right. Feedback from this phase will be used to make further refinements in producing a final version, so I really encourage the community to have their say.”

The draft MPS is divided into four sections:

• Context – a regional setting description of the municipality
• Vision – an overarching statement describing the type of municipality Council seeks to create
• Strategic directions – an outline of how Council will implement its vision
• Strategic framework plans – supplementary maps spatially showing the key strategic directions for the municipality

There is also an additional section available for review and comment called Further Strategic Work, which lists the work Council intends to undertake before the next planning scheme review.

Feedback can be provided by completing an online survey or making a written submission by 11.59pm on Sunday 17 July.

For more details and to have your say, visit Participate Nillumbik.