Project Status Updates

Project Status Updates – November 2024

VPA Business Plan 2024-25

The Minister for Planning has approved the VPA Business Plan 2024-25, outlining our work program and priorities for this financial year.   

Bannockburn South East is on the VPA work program for 2024-25. This is a strong commitment from government for the VPA to get on with our planning for Bannockburn South East, and to streamline and fast track the delivery of our plans where possible.  

Planning for Bannockburn South East while protecting VGED habitat

In January 2023, the critically endangered Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon (VGED) was rediscovered in a location west of Melbourne. It was the first time the species had been sighted in more than 50 years, and it was previously considered likely to be extinct. 

Since the rediscovery of VGED, the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has been working with the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to confirm its habitat distribution and how to undertake surveys for the VGED. 

We now have clear guidance on how to progress planning for Bannockburn South East while protecting VGED habitat.

Find out more about planning in areas that include potential VGED habitat.

Update on our planning for Bannockburn South East

We have been progressing the planning for Bannockburn South East by working with Golden Plains Shire Council and other key stakeholders to progress planning for the Bannockburn South East precinct to prepare for public exhibition of the Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) package in early 2025.    

Since our last update in September, we have:   

  • Procured and progressed the final set of technical reports to inform public consultation. 
  • Continued to meet with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, landholders and other stakeholders to formalise a pathway for protecting and managing cultural heritage through the development of the precinct. 
  • Met with key stakeholders including agencies to give an update on the project, next steps and to determine any outstanding or resolved issues leading up to public consultation. 

In the coming months we will be focused on finalising technical work, progressing cultural heritage matters with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and refining the Precinct Structure Plan, Development Contributions Plan and Planning Scheme Amendment package for public consultation in 2025.  

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