Whittlesea council is taking steps to strengthen environmental protections across its northern green wedge.
At the September 23 council meeting, councillors resolved to request authorisation from the planning minister to prepare and exhibit an amendment, which could introduce new planning controls to safeguard biodiversity and providing greater clarity for landowners.
According to council the proposal has been underpinned by research carried out for the biodiversity asset mapping report and the habitat connectivity study, identifying several areas of high environmental value.
Surveys uncovered previously unrecorded threatened species such as the brush-tailed phascogales, the common dunnart, the powerful owl and rare plant species.
Whittlesea Mayor Cr Martin Taylor said the amendment was a vital step in preserving critical habitats.
“The City of Whittlesea’s green wedge provides critical habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including a number of threatened species such as the powerful owl,” Cr Taylor said.
“The proposed amendment to the Whittlesea planning scheme, in the form of an environment significance overlay, is crucial to ensuring we protect biodiversity and the natural environment within the green wedge.”
The protections won’t apply to agricultural land, with routine farming activities, such as fencing, exempt from permit requirements provided they minimise environmental impacts.
Under the proposal, landowners would need a permit for activities like removing native vegetation or constructing large sheds, though the rules would only apply to new developments.
Residents will have the opportunity to have their say during a community consultation process.
More information is available at engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/C288wsea.
