The draft Spotswood Activity Centre Structure Plan is on hold while Council works through matters related to the new WorkSafe Victoria guidance for land use planning near Major Hazard Facilities. The Spotswood structure plan area may also be impacted by the proposed removal of the level crossing at Hudsons Road by the LXRA.

The new WorkSafe Victoria guidance takes a more conservative approach to managing risk associated with a possible MHF incident by further restricting surrounding land use and development. The guidance introduces increased distances for “Inner and Outer Safety Areas” which impact the objectives of the draft Spotswood Activity Centre Structure Plan.

To ensure council’s protection of heritage continues and is up to date, Council is progressing a planning scheme amendment to implement the Spotswood Activity Centre Structure Plan Heritage Review ahead of the Structure Plan adoption. The heritage work is not impacted by the new WorkSafe guidance and could become out of date if not progressed, Council has an obligation under the Planning and Environment Act to conserve and enhance sites of local historical interest.

A heritage overlay is a statutory tool in the planning scheme that seeks to protect and enhance places of heritage significance and ensure new development does not adversely affect the significance of the heritage place.

A planning permit for works and/or development is generally required for places in a heritage overlay. The planning permit process allows Council to assess how the proposed works will impact on the heritage significance of the place.

As with any land use change and development in Hobsons Bay, the community is encouraged to have a say on the proposed changes to the site.

Please refer to the 'make a submission' page to find out more about how you can provide your feedback on the amendment and ensure your views are heard.

Submissions are invited from 23 February 2023 until 6 April 2023 and can be:

• made online by clicking here
• emailed to amendments@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au, or
• posted to Strategic Planning, Hobsons Bay City Council, PO Box 21, Altona VIC 3018

You can speak to Council officers by attending one of the two information sessions held on:

• Saturday 4 March, 10am-11am, Hudsons Road near Spotswood IGA
• Monday 6 March, 11am to 12pm, Spotswood Community House at 598 Melbourne Road, Spotswood

You can also book in a 15-minute session with a Council planner via the booking portal on the right hand side of the main project page.

Alternatively you can email amendments@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or call 1300 179 944 and ask to speak with a member of the Strategic Planning Department.

A Planning Panel is an independent panel appointed by the Minister for Planning to hear submissions made about amendments to planning schemes. It makes recommendations or provides advice about whether or not changes should be made to the amendment. Panel members consist of experts in their field and are chosen based on the amendment and the issues raised in submissions.

For further information on the Planning Panel process, click here.

The Panel will consider all written submissions sent to the Planning Authority (Hobsons Bay City Council). Anyone who made a written submission that is to be considered by the Panel also has an opportunity to present their views at a public hearing.

For further information on the Planning Panel process and presenting at the panel, click here.

After considering all submissions and hearing all those who wish to be heard, making site inspections and considering all information presented to it, the Panel will send Council a written report on the amendment with recommendations.

The Planning Authority (Council) must consider the Panel’s report before it decides whether or not to adopt or abandon the amendment.

If Council decides to adopt the amendment, either as it was exhibited or in some modified form, the adopted amendment documents and copies of all submissions are then given to the Minister for Planning to consider before making a decision about the amendment.

For further information on Planning Panels, please refer to the Planning Panels website by clicking here.