It is State Planning Policy to protect quality agricultural land.
Protection of quality agricultural land for agricultural activity is also a high priority of the South West Region of Victoria. The region contains substantial areas of high quality agricultural land that is of fundamental importance to the local and State economy.
Subdivision of rural land can facilitate appropriate use of agricultural land, but may also prejudice its ongoing use for agricultural activity. Planning controls and the permit process seek to ensure that subdivision of rural land seeks to facilitate agricultural use.
Subdivision Controls in the Rural Zone
The primary purpose of the Rural Zone is to provide for the sustainable use of land for grazing and crop raising.
Most proposals for subdivision of rural land will require a permit from the City. Please
contact City's Planning Section to see what size applies in your area.
There are opportunities for boundary realignment and house lot excisions that create smaller lots, where it can be demonstrated that it is required to facilitate, and will not compromise, agricultural activity.
Is My Application Likely to be Approved?
In assessing your application for a permit, the City will consider whether the subdivision will facilitate and / or support agricultural activity, or threaten it, based on what the future use of the land is likely to be following subdivision. It will also take into consideration what environmental impacts the subdivision may have. You will have to demonstrate how the proposal supports agricultural activity.
The City is unlikely to support proposals that threaten agricultural use of the land or the surrounding land, or are likely to have a detrimental impact on the environment.
Supporting Information
An application for the construction of a dwelling in the Rural Zone should be accompanied by a report detailing:
- how the subdivision promotes the objectives of the Municipal Strategic Statements and is consistent with State and Local Planning Policy
- how the subdivision promotes the purpose of the Zone and provides for the ongoing agricultural productivity of land
- how the subdivision has been designed to:
- address the impact on the property and surrounding properties in terms of ongoing agricultural productivity
- address the impact on the native vegetation
- address the impact on water courses, drainage lines and areas subject to inundation
- address the impact on any features of architectural, historic or scientific significance
- address the impact on the rural landscape
- promote effective land management practices and infrastructure provision
- have regard to the topography
- the capability of soil to support a dwelling, road access and effluent disposal systems.
- scaled and dimensioned plans showing:
- existing native vegetation
- existing water courses and drainage lines
- soil types
- slopes
- existing and any proposed roads
- proposed lot boundaries
- power supply.
*It is strongly recommended that you engage a licensed surveyor to prepare subdivision plans and a qualified agricultural consultant to prepare the required agricultural reports.
A completed application form
, relevant fee and Copy of Title is also required for all applications.
Note: The Schedule to the Rural Zone in the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme specifies the minimum lot size for subdivision
throughout the rural zoned areas of the City. Further, Clause 22.06 of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme provides guidance as to the exercise of discretion in respect to subdivision within the rural zone
| Contact Details |
Statutory Planning Section
131 Myers Street, GEELONG 3220
Phone: 03 52270 456
Fax: 03 52270 486
contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au |
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday
8.00am to 5.00pm |
