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Consultation the key to new planning scheme

A challenge for Mitchell Shire Council has been the development of a single Mitchell planning scheme to replace the planning schemes of the preamalgamation municipalities.

Council's new planning scheme will provide uniform planning controls across the Shire and will conform with State legislative requirements. Prepared from a 'zero base', the new scheme is the result of extensive community consultation, including public meetings where residents expressed their views on future directions for the Shire.

The draft scheme was placed on informal exhibition and has already benefitted from having had an initial public review.

Also, as a prelude to the scheme being drawn up, a land capability study was undertaken with the assistance of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. An investigation of the sustainability of various activities that may take place in the region was undertaken.

Council was impressed with the amount of public interest shown in the process and the new scheme clearly represents the interests of the people of Mitchell. The scheme will be in operation by 1 June 1997.

Mitchell will be the fourth Council in Victoria to have a planning scheme in place using the new Statewide planning provisions. Residents are able to examine the Scheme which is currently on public exhibition.

For further information contact Rick Traficante, telephone (03) 5734 6200.

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