Since the adoption of the 2018 Wonthaggi Structure Plan there have been significant planning policy changes including the adoption of the Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan, Plan for Victoria (2025) and the progression of the Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) sometimes referred as the DAL.

The draft SPP proposes Protected Settlement Boundaries (PSB) for all settlement except Wonthaggi and Inverloch.

The SPP identifies Wonthaggi as the regional service centre and that further work is required to define the PSB.

This project is the further work and will make a recommendation a Strategic Settlement Boundary for Wonthaggi.

This project will review outputs from the 2018 plan, monitor what has been achieved and make recommendations on actions that should be updated or replaced to better reflect existing conditions in the township.

A Structure Plan is a planning tool which identifies potential changes to land use, development and design defining a long-term vision for an area with key actions and recommendations for its implementation.

The Bass Coast Industrial land Use Strategy 2024 identified a demand for 25-37 hectares of industrial land across the shire.

The expansion area in South Dudley is approximately 25 hectares and would support the demand for the shire.

No additional land for residential or commercial land was considered to be required to meet the needs of Wonthaggi for the next 15 years.

Detailed analysis is located in the background report.

There will be a the community consultation period, that will allow the community to provide Council. The consultation will be issued based.

Council will review and summarise the submissions received from the community which will influence the Draft Structure Plan to address the community’s comments.

After the review of submissions from the community, Council officers will prepare the draft Wonthaggi Structure Plan Review for presentation to Councillors at the December 2026 meeting.

Should the plan be adopted then work to implement the plan into the planning scheme will commence in 2027.

The role of the CRG is to provide input, constructive criticism and feedback on the preparation of the Wonthaggi Structure Plan Review and other projects in Wonthaggi. The CRG members will represent the collective vision for the future of Wonthaggi and act as a champions for the success of the Structure Plan Review.

The final approval of the Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) was made by the Planning Minister and Cabinet and is yet to be implemented into the Bass Coast Planning Scheme.

https://engage.vic.gov.au/project/distinctive-area...

Council are considering options for the site in conjunction with the State Government.

For more details visit: https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/wonthaggi_seco...

Council’s Bass Coast Aquatics Strategy is a two-pool strategy. The Strategy focuses on the existing Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Wonthaggi, and the proposed, future Phillip Island Aquatic and Leisure Centre, to be located in Cowes. Council unfortunately does not have viable funding for the implementation of the Bass Coast Aquatics Strategy at the moment. The Bass Coast Aquatics Strategy and project information can be found online: https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/aquatics