Public notification of the application comprised letters to adjoining land owners and occupiers and via two signs on-site in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. It is noted that there has been significant media and social media interest in this application. Interested third parties have provided information on various websites detailing how to object to the application. Given the above and the substantial number of objections received, it is considered that adequate public notification has been carried out and that objectors have raised many varied grounds. Assessment State and Local Planning Policy Frameworks Relevant State and local policies encourage economic growth by building on the region’s competitive strengths and encouraging the extraction of natural resources in accordance with acceptable environmental standards, whilst protecting the environment and agricultural land from inappropriate development and effects. It is considered that the proposed use will encourage economic growth through the construction industry without compromising the continued use of surrounding land for agricultural production and other stone extractions, as has been demonstrated in the written submission and Work Plan provided with the permit application. It is noted that all relevant referral authorities have provided consent to the statutory endorsement of the Work Plan prior to the lodgement of the planning permit application and have not objected to the application when referred from Council. It is acknowledged that there are strong state and local policies regarding the protection of agricultural land and to limit incompatible land uses that may conflict with agricultural uses. However there is equally strong state policy regarding resource exploration and extraction. Clause 14.03 (Resource Exploration and Extraction) encourages exploration and extraction of natural resources in accordance with acceptable environmental standards and to provide a planning approval process that is consistent with the relevant legislation. This policy also directs the assessment of planning applications to consider the Geelong Supply Area - Extractive Industry Interest Areas Geological Survey of Victoria – Technical Record 1999/2. This document acknowledges that: Geelong is an important centre dependent on locally derived extractive industry resources which are used as raw material for the manufacturing industry; and Geelong is also a regional centre with a substantial population and an important use of quarry products. The site and a substantial area surrounding it is identified as an Extractive Industry Interest Area (EIIA) in the document. Amongst other things, the purpose of the EIIAs is to provide a basis for ensuring the long term availability of stone resources for use by the community and at minimal detriment to the environment, and to create awareness that extractive industry is a possible land use within these areas.
Public notification of the application comprised letters to adjoining land owners and occupiers and via two signs on-site in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. It is noted that there has been significant media and social media interest in this application. Interested third parties have provided information on various websites detailing how to object to the application. Given the above and the substantial number of objections received, it is considered that adequate public notification has been carried out and that objectors have raised many varied grounds. Assessment State and Local Planning Policy Frameworks Relevant State and local policies encourage economic growth by building on the region’s competitive strengths and encouraging the extraction of natural resources in accordance with acceptable environmental standards, whilst protecting the environment and agricultural land from inappropriate development and effects. It is considered that the proposed use will encourage economic growth through the construction industry without compromising the continued use of surrounding land for agricultural production and other stone extractions, as has been demonstrated in the written submission and Work Plan provided with the permit application. It is noted that all relevant referral authorities have provided consent to the statutory endorsement of the Work Plan prior to the lodgement of the planning permit application and have not objected to the application when referred from Council. It is acknowledged that there are strong state and local policies regarding the protection of agricultural land and to limit incompatible land uses that may conflict with agricultural uses. However there is equally strong state policy regarding resource exploration and extraction. Clause 14.03 (Resource Exploration and Extraction) encourages exploration and extraction of natural resources in accordance with acceptable environmental standards and to provide a planning approval process that is consistent with the relevant legislation. This policy also directs the assessment of planning applications to consider the Geelong Supply Area - Extractive Industry Interest Areas – Geological Survey of Victoria Technical Record 1999/2. This document acknowledges that: Geelong is an important centre dependent on locally derived extractive industry resources which are used as raw material for the manufacturing industry; and Geelong is also a regional centre with a substantial population and an important use of quarry products. The site and a substantial area surrounding it is identified as an Extractive Industry Interest Area (EIIA) in the document. Amongst other things, the purpose of the EIIAs is to provide a basis for ensuring the long term availability of stone resources for use by the community and at minimal detriment to the environment, and to create awareness that extractive industry is a possible land use within these areas.
8d3a1ab2266932c-SECTION%20191%20AGENDA%20-%205%20JULY%202016%20(WEB)%20.docx