San Remo Structure Plan

Over the next 20 years, it is projected that San Remo will grow by between 400 and as much 2100 additional permanent residents.

For San Remo to continue to be a vibrant place to live and visit, Bass Coast Shire Council has developed the Draft San Remo Structure Plan to guide its future growth and development to 2041.

The Draft San Remo Structure Plan has been informed by technical reports and feedback from the preliminary community consultation, and will provide direction for future planning controls, planning permit applications and capital works.

Bass Coast Shire Council sought community feedback on the Draft Structure Plan between 7 March to 28 April 2025. Community members can read the San Remo Structure Plan here.

If you have any questions, please contact Council's Strategic Planning team on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or via email through strategic.planningadmin@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Officers are currently considering feedback and will report to Councillors this year.

Key Documents

The San Remo Structure Plan is supported by a number of background and technical documents providing direction for the future of San Remo. The three key documents are here (others can be found in the document library):

The Themes, explained

This section provides an abridged reference of the various themes in the San Remo Structure Plan

For the Community and Heritage theme section in the Draft San Remo Structure Plan document, refer to pages 27 – 35.

San Remo’s community and heritage, including Bunurong cultural values, and those connected to the settlers and migrants who have arrived since the first wave of colonisation, is important in shaping the cultural identity of the town.

The Community and Heritage Structure Plan Theme, sub-themes are:

  • Demographics and community profile
  • Aboriginal cultural heritage
  • Post-contact European heritage

For the Land Use theme section in the Draft San Remo Structure Plan document, refer to pages 37 – 56.

Land Use relates to how land is used (i.e. residential, commercial, etc.) and then subsequently developed.

The Land Use theme captures how the land throughout San Remo will be used, developed, and managed in the future. It directly informs the Structure Plan, zoning, and extent of different land uses.

The sub-themes are:

  • Residential
  • Mixed Use
  • Commercial
  • Public land and public open space

For the Utilities and Services theme section in the Draft San Remo Structure Plan document, refer to pages 57 – 69.

An effective and well functioning town is based around how well serviced it is in terms of physical and community infrastructure.

To create a San Remo which is resilient and liveable is important, both for existing residents, future residents and Council.

The sub-themes are:

  • Asset management (infrastructure)
  • Community infrastructure
  • Utilities
  • Stormwater management

Economy Theme

For the Economy theme section in the San Remo Structure Plan document, please refer to pages 71 - 73.

The Structure Plan recognises the importance of a resilient and diverse local economy in San Remo.

San Remo has an important role and function in an economic sense as it provides a commercial hub for the town itself and the surrounding areas. Further to this, both historically and currently, San Remo is a popular holiday and tourist destination. People are either passing through on their way to Phillip Island, staying in San Remo or coming for the day trip, most likely to catch the daily pelican feeding at the San Remo Fishermans’ Co-Op.

Generally, San Remo’s tourism is based off nature-based experiences with reflect the unique landscapes surrounding the town.

The sub-themes are:

  • Tourism
  • Employment
  • Economic Development

For the Transport theme section in the San Remo Structure Plan document, please refer to pages 74 – 83.

Providing and maintaining a well-planned and efficient transport network is essential to ensuring San Remo is accessible, connected, and safe for residents, visitors, and businesses.

As San Remo grows, an integrated transport network is important to enhance mobility, reduce congestion along Phillip Island Road and, where possible, promote sustainable travel options.

The sub-themes are:

  • Road network
  • Public transport
  • Active transport
  • Parking

For the Environment theme section in the Draft San Remo Structure Plan document, refer to pages 84 – 97.

The landscape of San Remo is varied and unique, and highly valued by the Bunurong people, locals and visitors.

The coastline and hinterland between San Remo and Inverloch has State and regional significance. The San Remo Study Area is located within the Gippsland Plain bioregion and is bound by Wunmarrinh (Western Port Bay) to the North and Bass Strait to the South.

The area includes several reserves, parks, public beaches, and walking trails with varying ecological value, significant coastal habitat is found in San Remo Coastal Reserve, Punchbowl Coast Reserve, and Yallock Bulluk Marine & Coastal Park, particularly along the George Bass Walk. Other reserves and parks (San Remo Recreation Reserve, Anderson Street Reserve, San Remo Park, Lions Park) primarily offer public open space with limited ecological value.

The nearby Wunmarrinh (Western Port Bay) Ramsar site, a wetland of international significance, supports diverse migratory shorebirds and waterfowl, forming part of the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network and is recognized as an Important Bird Area.

The sub-themes are:

  • Natural environment and risks
  • Built environment
  • Climate change impacts
  • Landscape values