Rural Land Use Strategy

Overview

The Rural Land Use Strategy identifies potential areas for rural activities, rural conservation and rural living as well as provides guidelines for development on these lands.

Specifically, it creates a planning vision, a strategic framework and provides planning policy recommendations for the use, management, and development of rural land within Mount Alexander Shire.

Why do we need the strategy?

This work supports agriculture and other rural industries, including rural tourism, identifies areas for rural living, and protects important environmental, cultural and landscape values. This includes recommending changes to the Mount Alexander Planning Scheme to provide better decision-making processes for rural planning permit applications.

We also want to make sure we meet current and future farming needs. There is concern that productive agricultural land is being lost to other uses like rural living and low density residential development. We also want to reduce conflicts with other land uses due to agricultural activities such as noise, dust and odours.

Development of a Rural Land Use Strategy helps us to protect these lands by encouraging sensitive development, recognising the values of hilltops, ridgelines and biodiversity corridors, and responsive planning to climate change and its impacts on productivity. 

Where are our current rural areas?

The strategy applies to all rural zoned land (Farming Zone, Rural Living Zone and the Rural Conservation Zone) within the Mount Alexander Shire area. These areas support agriculture, horticulture, tourism, conservation and living areas. 

To find out if your property is in a rural zoned area, visit the VicPlan website, type in your address and read the planning property report. 

How will the community be involved?

We are actively seeking feedback from businesses and the community. To find out more, visit the project page on Shape Mount Alexander.

Shape Mount Alexander

Project timeline

More information and documentation

For further information visit Shape Mount Alexander or contact Council’s Strategic Planning team on 03 5471 1700 or email strategicplanning@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.