Domestic Wastewater Management Plan signals significant planning policy reform
November 26, 2015
Colac Otway Shire Council has ushered in one of the most significant planning policy reforms in its history with the adoption of a new Domestic Wastewater Management Plan for the shire.
Mayor Frank Buchanan has welcomed the plan's endorsement, saying it had the potential to unlock development in the shire's small towns and unsewered areas.
The plan will give Council and water corporations more flexibility to consider planning applications in water supply catchments and unsewered areas.
"This is a positive step forward for our shire because it will allow Council and water corporations to consider every application on its merit," Cr Buchanan said.
"Previously, water corporations had no choice but to reject any applications that did not meet the State Government's development density rule of one dwelling per 40 hectares.
"We believe that this plan will increase the overall potential for environmentally responsible development in our shire," he said.
As part of the plan's development, expert consultants assessed more than 8800 unsewered properties in the shire, examining factors such as climate; soil type, depth, permeability, structure and moisture levels; topography; allotment size; zoning; geology; site slope; the property's proximity to water courses, groundwater bores, and water storages; groundwater depth and landslip risk.
This examination produced a 'risk rating' which determines how much information has to be submitted with planning applications.
More than three-quarters of the unsewered properties in the Colac Otway Shire received a low or medium risk rating, and about 20 per cent received a high rating.
In total, 2.3 per cent of unsewered properties mainly located in Lavers Hill and Beech Forest received a very high rating, reflecting the high rainfall and steep ground within these towns.
"Even for land in the very high risk category, landowners can still apply to develop their land so long as they can supply detailed information demonstrating how their proposal can meet the requirement to retain all wastewater on their site," Cr Buchanan said.
"It's fair to say that some landowners, particularly those with high and very high risk ratings, may face some additional costs to obtain permits to carry out development, however this scenario is still better than the current situation which is basically a blanket refusal.
"If landowners believe their assessment does not reflect the actual conditions on their property, they can seek to have that status changed in the plan by conducting a land capability assessment.
"It's important to emphasise that no property in our shire will have less development potential than it currently does under our new DWMP."
Following the plan's adoption, Council will set out a plan for increased monitoring and auditing of septic systems across the shire, in line with requirements of the plan.
Cr Buchanan said the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan was another step in Council's commitment to delivering improvements to planning.
"We're pleased to have decreased processing times in planning by 25 days in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2014," he said.
The Domestic Wastewater Management Plan was funded with contributions from Wannon Water, Barwon Water and Council.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400