In partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Latrobe City Council appointed Urban Enterprise (Economic and Planning Consultants) to undertake the MTEC project. This project commenced in September 2017 and was a major initiative in the 2017/2018 Budget.

Consultation with key government stakeholders and landowners were undertaken in December 2017 and January 2018.

The project consisted of:

• Background Reports, including traffic, service, native vegetation and an economic analysis; and
• Preparation of the draft Masterplan.

The Background Reports were finalised in April 2018 which identified key opportunities and constraints for the precinct. This Background Reports and related technical reports were presented to Council at the 28 May 2018 Councillor Briefing session and have informed the drafting of the Masterplan.

The draft Masterplan identifies preferred planning tools and land uses within the Morwell to Traralgon corridor and provides guidance for future planning scheme amendments to implement any planning policy/tool changes.

The draft Masterplan was endorsed by Council on 3 September 2018 subject to further work to be undertaken before proceeding to a planning scheme amendment were to complete a Servicing Strategy and Bushfire Assessment. The meeting minutes and Council Resolution can be found below under Related Documents.

A Servicing Strategy was required as it had been identified that there are some major constraints in servicing the precinct. This also impacts areas outside the MTEC precinct, including the Firmins Lane Industrial precinct.

A Bushfire Assessment was as a result of VC140 changes to the Latrobe Planning Scheme by the State Government. These changes mean that bushfire implications must be considered in any settlement planning.

The draft Masterplan can also be found below under Related Documents.

History

Stage 3 involves the finalisation of the draft Masterplan and the exhibition of a Planning Scheme Amendment to introduce the Masterplan and its recommendations into the Latrobe Planning Scheme.

Amendment C115 was granted authorization by DELWP on 28 May 2019

Exhibition of the amendment took place between 13 June 2019 to 15 July 2019 resulting in a total of 18 written submissions received.

The Amendment went to a Council Meeting on Monday 2 September 2019 to consider submissions.

The adopted resolution is:

That Council:                   

•  Having considered all written submissions received to Amendment C115 requests the Minister for Planning establish a planning panel to consider submissions for Amendment C115 and prepare a report; and
• Advises those persons who made written submissions to Amendment C115 of Council’s decision.

View the Minutes for September Council Meeting

Council considered all written submissions received to Amendment C115 and requested the appointment of a Planning Panel to consider the submissions.

The directions hearing was held on 9 October 2019 and the Panel Hearing held on 12 November 2019.

The Panel Report has now been received and the Panel has provided their recommendations in the report – see ‘Related Documents’.

Amendment C115 was approved at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 10 February 2020 and is awaiting approval with the Minister for Planning.

At that meeting the following recommendations were resolved;

That Council:

1. Having considered the Planning Panel Report recommendations for Amendment C115 adopts Amendment C115 with changes, identified in Attachment 3 - ‘Post Panel Changes’ and documented within Attachments 2 and 6 in accordance with Section 29 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987;
2. Adopts the final Morwell to Traralgon Employment Corridor Investment Master Plan January 2020 as provided in Attachment 7;
3. Submits Amendment C115 once adopted, to the Minister for Planning for approval, in accordance with Section 31 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987; and
4. Advises those persons who made written submissions to Amendment C115 of Council’s decision.

The Amendment was lodged with the Minister for Planning for approval on 14 February 2020.

The Amendment was approved by the Minister for Planning on 15 June 2020 and gazetted into the Latrobe Planning Scheme on 9 July 2020.

The Amendment now forms part of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.