WARRNAMBOOL PLANNING SCHEME
21.09 ENVIRONMENT 19/01/2006 VC37
Overview
Warrnambool’s natural environment reflects its location on the magnificent Southern Ocean coast. Inland, the municipality is affected by three distinctive land form types or resource management units; Coastal Dunes, Basalt Plains generally north of the City, and Stony Rises with Scoria Cones to the east. Some of the limestone cliffs, steeper earth slopes and coastal dunes along the main rivers and coast are susceptible to land slip. The Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority has identified the major land degradation issues affecting each of the resource management units (Glenelg Regional Catchment Strategy 1996). Warrnambool’s Coastal Dune subregion consists of rolling limestone dunes and adjacent wetlands. Indigenous coastal vegetation includes Coast Wattle, Drooping Sheoak, and an under storey of Wallaby Grass, although the extent of this vegetation has been substantially fragmented. Further inland vegetation is typified by Manna Gum and Stringybark, which has largely been cleared for grazing purposes. The Coastal Dune system is significantly affected by erosion, pest plants and animals in addition to the general impact and disturbance of settlement. The Basalt Plains unit affects large areas of south west Victoria and has varying fertility. The Basalt Plains around Warrnambool and beyond support the flourishing dairy industry. The Stony Rises and Scoria Cones have resulted from volcanic activity. The Stony Rises result from minor lava flows, whereas the Scoria Cones and associated basaltic tuffs resulted from explosive eruptions. Manna Gums and Blackwoods once populated this subregion. The stony soils are often difficult to farm and pest plants and animals are common across the area. The municipality is located within the Hopkins River Basin, which also includes the Merri River and Mount Emu Creek. The 1990 State of the Streams Survey rated 83% of stream lengths in the Hopkins Basin to be in poor or very poor environmental condition. Areas along the coast, especially along the coast and in areas of the west of the municipality have been identified as high potential recharge areas. Potential impacts on the water table must be considered as a significant environmental impact. Land was subdivided in Warrnambool and other parts of the Western District prior to the system of declaring ‘Crown Frontages’ along rivers and the coast, resulting in a legacy of private ownership of land along the Hopkins and Merri Rivers (the latter outside the general City area), and much of the coastline east of the entrance of the Hopkins River and west of the Merri River. The Warrnambool City Council area is within the area of responsibility of the Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority. The environmental impact of private ownership of the river frontages is varied, but in some areas it has restricted public access and enjoyment of these assets as well as limiting co-ordinated management. Ribbon development along waterways will be discouraged. A further problem is the existence of slopes in excess of 20 degrees where further development will be discouraged and removal of vegetation minimized. Sites of Victorian Rare and Threatened Species of Flora and Fauna have been identified and mapped. Consistent with State Environmental Policies it is important that changes in land use or development do not threaten these sites. The flood plains of the rivers and Russells Creek affect large areas of land throughout the City and surrounding rural area. Flood plains provide temporary flood storages which are progressively filled and emptied as the flood peak travels downstream. The proper management of flood plains protects the natural environment and the investment
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which has been made in homes and businesses located in areas subject to inundation. Appropriate flood controls form part of the Warrnambool Planning Scheme. An extensive coastal and estuarine park network is under investigation. It consists of a number of components from the Merri River mouth to Dennington, including the South Warrnambool Wetlands, a proposal to redevelop the existing golf course and adjacent land and the development of an ‘Environmental Park’ on the site currently occupied in part by the Warrnambool municipal waste depot. A Landscape Management Plan has been approved by Council for the South Warrnambool Wetlands, which identifies the ecological significance of the area and the potential for recreational facilities. It also addresses a range of likely site impacts. The provision of sewer and water infrastructure to urban areas as identified by this planning scheme is a high priority for South West Water. Allansford will be sewered in the coming year. Bushfield, Woodford, and other rural areas will remain reliant upon on site disposal of effluent. In these areas the installation and maintenance of appropriate waste water and effluent disposal systems should be given high priority, particularly in areas subject to inundation, to limit adverse impacts upon the local environment. Pest weeds are a significant environmental issue in the City. Measures are required to control their spread and ensure their removal. Fire has played a significant role in the evolution of natural environments in the Warrnambool area. The vegetative communities are adapted to a fire regime and the management of these areas requires the use of fire for their health. Fire is also required to reduce the fuel loads so that a safe environment is maintained. The Warrnambool municipality contains areas of great natural beauty. The rugged coastal cliffs, beaches, rolling inland hills and river valleys are highly regarded by the local population and attract many tourists. The Norfolk Pines lining the Princes Highway median and a number of other City roads are an important local landscape feature. There are numerous other significant exotic trees worthy of protection. The Botanical Gardens has well documented heritage values. New developments will be appropriately sited so that the magnificent vistas throughout Warrnambool are not impeded. The Lady Bay area is of outstanding cultural, environmental and recreational significance. The beach, Lake Pertobe and the breakwater area have significant conservation and coastal recreation functions.
Issues
Identify, protect and enhance natural environments including coastal systems - particularly the cliffs and primary dune systems, the Hopkins and Merri Rivers, South Warrnambool Wetlands, Kelly’s swamp, Lake Pertobe and Lake Gillear. Recognise and prevent the degradation of scenic landscapes especially along the coast, river valleys and inland ridge lines. Recognise and address environmental problems affecting the municipality such as degraded land, erosion, the need for pest eradication and the lack of riparian vegetation. Maintain biodiversity by protecting and enhancing the habitat of rare and threatened species. Identify and protect significant exotic and indigenous trees which contribute to the overall character of the City, including avoidance of removal and lopping of such trees to facilitate the construction of buildings and works and installation of utility services. Improve public access to the rivers and coast at appropriate locations. A public open space link will be pursued along the Hopkins River between the coast and the site of
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Deakin University to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the unique qualities and heritage values of the river, and provide for recreational opportunities. Degraded river banks and adjacent land areas will be given high priority for restoration work and inappropriate development will be excluded.
Objectives
To encourage restoration of degraded land, particularly stream frontages. To protect water quality by preventing urban run-off leading to erosion, siltation or degradation of waterways. To protect significant natural environments and where appropriate form effective open space an/or habitat corridors, along river and coastal areas. Within the urban areas of Warrnambool, acquire through subdivision land primarily along the western and northern bank of the Hopkins River to provide an open space corridor between the Proudfoots Boathouse and Deakin University. To protect and enhance landscaping, including street trees, on all major approach routes, access roads and local streets. To maintain the integrity of the existing urban floodways and to identify new floodway areas outside the urban area. To investigate options for the development of an estuarine and coastal park network, including the redevelopment of the golf course and municipal tip. To ensure that waste disposal systems for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes are not detrimental to the environment. To develop and implement sensible fire management solutions that reduce risks to the community and recognise the balance between fire safety and healthy natural environments. To apply principles of ecologically sustainable development within the City wherever feasible. To identify landscapes of high scenic value. To minimise stormwater run-off in urban and in rural areas.
Strategies
Protect and enhance all major approach routes and local streets by maintaining existing tree planting, and carrying out appropriate landscaping. To undertake a comprehensive survey of exotic vegetation. All mature Norfolk Island Pines are to be protected from removal and lopping and where such a species is to be removed, relocation of the tree will be strongly encouraged. Protect and enhance waterways by controlling urban run-off. Maintain the integrity of the existing urban floodways by preventing development in floodway areas. Identify land subject to inundation and control new development accordingly. Incorporate into the planning scheme areas newly identified as floodways, or land subject to inundation. Manage the South Warrnambool Wetlands generally in accordance with the ‘Landscape Management Plan for the South Warrnambool Wetlands.’ Apply principles of ecologically sustainable development within the City wherever feasible.
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Protect landscapes of high scenic value from inappropriate development by the use of the local policies on Coastal Areas, Hilltop and ridgeline protection, and other appropriate measures.
These strategies will be implemented by:
Applying the following overlay controls in determining permit applications on land to which each overlay is applicable:
Environment Significance Overlay Schedule 1, in areas on or adjoining the coast.
Environment Significance Overlay Schedule 2, in the Hopkins River and Merri River environs.
Environment Significance Overlay Schedule 3, in the Lake Gillear environs.
Environment Significance Overlay Schedule 4, in the South Warrnambool Wetlands.
Significant Landscape Schedule 1, for significant landscapes along the coast and immediate hinterland. Using local policy to protect the natural and coastal values of the coast, in order to maintain these values, and to use and develop the coast in a sustainable manner. (Coastal Areas 22.02-01 and Wild Coast Precinct 22.02-01). Ensure all subdivisions are assessed in terms of urban run-off, (State Planning Policy Framework 15.01-2, 19.01, and Clause 52.01). Using Section 173 agreements to protect river frontages that do not have crown reserves along the frontage whenever subdivision occurs along the Hopkins and Merri Rivers in the rural areas. Using local policy to emphasize the importance of conservation sites where rare and threatened species are found, and to take the need to conserve such sites into consideration in determining any permit application which may impact on such a site. (Rare and Threatened Species 22.02-02). Developing over the medium term, an open space corridor between Proudfoots Boathouse and Deakin University. (Hopkins River Open Space Policy 22.02-11). Requiring applicants to provide a written environmental management plan as a means of ensuring that the construction and maintenance of development proposals meets the requirements of this scheme.
Supporting actions include:
Undertake a study to identify and protect significant exotic and indigenous trees which contribute to the overall character of the City. Rehabilitate the current Warrnambool Municipal Waste Depot site as part of the Coastal Park network. Improve pedestrian facilities in the South Warrnambool Wetlands area. Improve with appropriate facilities, over time, the Logans Beach carpark and whale viewing area. Develop, as funding allows, a ballistics centre at Lake Gillear.
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Reference Documents
Deakin University 1995. ‘Tuuram’ - Hopkins Estuary and Coastal Environs. Centre for Regional Development. Warrnambool. Glenelg Regional Catchment Board. 1996. Glenelg Regional Catchment Strategy. Ross Hardie I D & A Consultants Pty Ltd. Hamilton Glenelg Regional Catchment Board. 1993. The Glenelg’s Region Salinity Strategy. Glenelg Regional Catchment Board. 1996. Issues and Priorities Discussion Paper. Hamilton Land Conservation Council. 1996. ìHistoric Places” Special Investigation South-Western Victoria Proposed Recommendations. Warrnambool City Council. 1996. Landscape Management Plan for the South Warrnambool Wetlands. Prepared by Scenic Spectrums et al. Melbourne. Glenelg - Hopkins Catchment Management Authority Native Vegetation Plan (draft) 1997 Hamilton Western Coastal Board, Warrnambool City Council and Connell Wagner, 1999 Warrnambool Coastal Action Plan Warrnambool City Council & Connell Wagner, 1999 Warrnambool Foreshore Urban Design Framework
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