To support the Shire’s growing resident base, encouraging economic resilience and local employment opportunities will be critical. This will require an adequate supply of both land and floorspace for industrial land uses, enabling existing businesses to grow and provide opportunities for new and emerging industries.

The shire currently has several industrial precincts, including in Cowes, Grantville, Newhaven, Inverloch, and Wonthaggi. However, the increasing demand for industrial space is putting pressure on these precincts and creating challenges for existing operators

In December, January and February, we sought feedback on the Industrial Land Use Strategy Discussion Paper. Strong themes that emerged from this feedback were around land suitability and availability.

Based on this feedback and the culmination of detailed economic and strategic land use planning analysis, Council have produced the draft Bass Coast Industrial Land Use Strategy. This very first "shire-wide" Industrial Land Use Strategy provides new strategic guidance and initiatives to support employment growth, investment and development across the Shire in response to broader economic, policy and socio-demographic change.

Next Steps

In July, we asked to hear from existing, prospective and emerging operators and landowners on the contents of the draft strategy, including the overarching strategies, vision statements, guidelines for land use and development as well as the long-term expansion area plans.

Following the close of engagement on 28 July, the strategy was refined and adopted by Councillors on 21 August 2024. Implementation is ongoing.