Overview

The Minister for Planning is considering whether to prepare, adopt and approve East Gippsland Planning Scheme Amendment C163egip. To inform the Minister’s decision, consultation is being undertaken under section 20(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 about the draft amendment.

What the draft amendment does

The Amendment proposes to facilitate the approval of the ‘Kmart Bairnsdale’ proposal at 598-610 Main Street, Bairnsdale.

Specifically, the Amendment proposes to introduce the Specific Controls Overlay into the East Gippsland Planning Scheme and apply a Specific Controls Overlay to the land at 598-610 Main Street. The Amendment will also amend the Schedule to Clause 72.04 (Documents Incorporated in this Planning Scheme) of the East Gippsland Planning Scheme to insert the “598-610 Main Street, Bairnsdale” Incorporated Document, which will provide approval for the proposed use and development.

Specifically, the use and development comprise:

• Demolition and removal of existing buildings, structures and trees.
• Construction of a single-storey retail building, including loading bays and associated infrastructure.
• Construction of 202 car parking spaces, resulting in a reduction in the standard car parking requirement of 203 car parking spaces, by 1 space.
• Construction of 18 bicycle parking spaces.
• Amended vehicle access to Main Street and Calvert Street, including separated heavy vehicle access via Calvert Street.
• Construction and display of internally illuminated signage, including pylon signs.

Consultation

Before making a decision about whether to proceed with draft Amendment C163egip, the Minister for Planning is undertaking consultation under section 20(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to understand the views of certain parties and to inform the drafting of the Amendment.

Following the consultation period, the Minister may decide to refer this matter to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee for further advice before making a decision about whether to prepare, adopt and approve the Amendment. If you make a submission, you will be informed if the matter is referred to the Priority Projects Standing Advisory Committee.

Background

The Minister for Planning has received a request from Landmor Pty Ltd to facilitate the proposal through the recently established Development Facilitation Program.

The Victorian Government has identified Victoria’s building and construction sector as a key mechanism to revitalise Victoria’s economy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Development Facilitation Program was established by the Minister for Planning following the success of the Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce Priority Project Fast-Track pilot program to speed up the assessment and determination of identified priority projects that deliver investment into the Victorian economy, keep people in jobs, and provide a substantial public benefit.