Alpine Shire Council has prepared an amendment to the Alpine Planning Scheme that applies to all land across Alpine Shire, as well as specific land in Bright, Myrtleford, and Tawonga South.
Amendment C65alpi to the Alpine Planning Scheme proposes to implement the recommendations of the Alpine Planning Scheme Review 2023 by introducing new or revised local content into the Municipal Planning Strategy, Planning Policy Framework, and schedules to zones, overlays, particular provisions, general provisions, and operational provisions.
The proposals include rezoning parts of properties in King Street, Myrtleford, from the General Residential Zone to the Farming Zone to correct zoning anomalies, removing Development Plan Overlays in Bright and Tawonga South as the schedules contain no content, and implementing the land use and developmental directions of Council's adopted strategies and documents.
In addition, the amendment proposes to make formatting, terminology and other changes to the Alpine Planning Scheme to ensure it aligns with the Ministerial Direction - The Form and Content of Planning Schemes. The amendment also seeks to introduce a local Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) policy into the planning scheme.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, welcomed the proposal to introduce an ESD policy into the planning scheme.
"While we have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through our Climate Action Plan 2025-2029 and Community Climate Action Roadmap 2023, we have yet to reflect this in the Alpine Planning Scheme," she said.
"This amendment will assist in guiding future development across Alpine Shire to achieve the standard of environmental sustainability that we are striving towards in our region.
"Where a planning permit is triggered, the guidelines will inform the design and build stages for some types of development, which will make more efficient houses that are pleasant to live in and cost effective to run."
Any person who may be affected by the amendment is invited to make a submission to Council as the planning authority.
Submissions must be made in writing with the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.
The amendment and supporting documents can be inspected online via Engage Alpine, in-person during office hours at the Council office in Bright, or by contacting the Department of Transport and Planning.
Submissions must be made by 5pm on Monday, 20 October 2025.
Community members are invited to learn more and make a submission by visiting Engage Alpine: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/amendment-c65alpi-alpine-planning-scheme