By Esther Lauaki
New state policy for the protection of the Macedon Ranges will require significant fine-tuning before it gets an endorsement from the council.
The draft localised planning statement, now known as the Macedon Ranges Statement of Planning Policy (SPP), is out for comment and aims to protect the Ranges as a “distinctive area” and landscape to the local and Victorian community.
The council will request several changes to the document, including working with the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning to develop a work plan and funding program to implement the policy.
Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said that more information was needed.
“Officers had some concerns that there was not enough detail as to how to use the document,” Cr Anderson said.
The document outlines protected settlement boundaries for towns expected to grow, including Gisborne, Kyneton, Romsey, Riddells Creek, Lancefield and Woodend. Once established, these boundaries will be subject to the same rigorous protections of Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary and will only be able to be altered with the approval of both houses of the Victorian Parliament.
