Tara Murray
Brimbank council has highlighted the importance of agricultural landowners in the municipality being able to pursue alternative viable uses for their land, as part of a submission to the state government’s review of green wedge and agricultural land.
The council said that while it conditionally supported the government’s proposed changes to strengthen the green wedges, it had some concerns about the proposal to update the Planning Policy Framework to ensure that all agricultural land is protected
In its submission, the council said that protecting all agricultural land in Brimbank wasn’t the most effective use of policy, with much of the existing agricultural land in Brimbank “highly constrained”.
“Agricultural land in the Brimbank portion of the Sunbury Green Wedge is constrained due to poor quality soil, lots sizes, low rainfall and a lack of reliable, affordable water sources,” the submission said.
“Impacts from Melbourne Airport and restrictions … also impact the viability of agricultural uses.
“These constraints should be recognised when seeking to protect agricultural land through the proposed changes to green wedge planning provisions.
“Additional support for landowners to take advantage of opportunities for suitable alternative uses and alternative agriculture should accompany any policy changes, particularly for those landowners who are significantly restricted by airport operations.”
Mayor Ranka Rasic said the council recognised the importance of protecting green wedge and agricultural land around metropolitan Melbourne for agriculture, recreation, environmental conservation and natural resource purposes.
“Green wedges and agricultural land have an important role to play in our municipality and council would like to see enhanced planning protection and support for these areas.
“Council’s submission also asks that a range of matters are taken into consideration when strengthening planning controls for these areas, to ensure Brimbank’s needs are protected.”
Organ Pipes National Park and Sydenham Park are part of the Brimbank Green Wedge.
