BURT quashed
Bass Coast Shire councillors today rescinded the controversial BURT planning policy, which made way for rural land – especially along Phillip Island's south coast – to be rezoned for tourism developments.
Farmers, community groups and conservationists will be celebrating after Bass Coast Shire councillors today rescinded the controversial BURT planning policy, which was described by community members as "dumb, narrow and misconceived".
The Bass Coast Unlocking Rural Tourism strategy (BURT) makes way for rural land – especially along Phillip Island's south coast – to be rezoned for tourism developments.
BURT was passed by Bass Coast Shire councillors in March 2023, but was yet to go through a planning scheme amendment.
The shire was awarded a grant from the Victorian Planning Authority to prepare a draft BURT in 2022.
Local groups at the time warned the strategy was a "land grab for massive developments", and that an "economic development agenda is driving the draft".
A majority of councillors at Wednesday’s meeting agreed, with several saying it wasn’t supported by the community and Cr Tim O’Brien declaring “good night BURT”.
More details in next week’s paper.
