BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME 21.02 MUNICIPAL PROFILE 14/12/2006 C55 21.02-1 Introduction 19/01/2006 VC37 Bass Coast Shire was created on 2 December 1994 by the amalgamation of the former municipalities of Bass, Phillip Island and Wonthaggi, as well as including parts of the former municipalities of Cranbourne, Korumburra and Woorayl. Bass Coast Shire covers approximately 800 square kilometres, has a population of 21,000 and includes some of the most diverse and well known 175 kilometres of coastline in Victoria, as well as a most scenic rural hinterland. Major towns include Cowes, Wonthaggi and Inverloch. The local economy is primarily based on dairy and beef farming and tourism. The Shire has important economic, social and environmental links with both the metropolitan Melbourne and Gippsland regions, and it is a nationally and internationally recognised tourist and sporting destination. 21.02-2 Settlement 19/01/2006 VC37 Population characteristics The resident population of Bass Coast was found to be 21,248 in the 1996 Census. 27% of the population is over 60 years of age. There are 9,260 households with an average household size of 2.29. The main employment sectors are agriculture, tourist-related industries (wholesale/retail section) and community services. It is projected that the Shire’s population will increase to approximately 26,200 by the year 2011 and 29,200 by 2021. During the period 1996-2021, the number of households is expected to rise from 9,260 to 13,500 with a steady decline in average household size. The rate of growth projected for Bass Coast Shire by 2011 is almost 80% higher than that projected for Regional Victoria. Population growth in part will be due to the proximity of the South-East Growth Area (SEGA) of metropolitan Melbourne, to the immediate north, and more particularly due to the Shire’s increasing attractiveness to retirees. Such growth has significant implications for future planning of the Shire. HOUSE- HOUSE- HOLDS HOLD SIZE Number of Average occupied number of private people per dwellings private dwelling 1996 9,260 1996 2.29 2001 10,159 2001 2.27 2011 11,863 2011 2.21 2021 13,473 2021 2.16 Source: Department of Infrastructure, Victoria in Future 1996. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 1 OF 9 BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME Source: Department of Infrastructure, Victoria in Future 1996. The impact of retired persons moving to the Shire is reflected in the projected age structure for 1996-2021. Throughout this period, the population will continue to age, with the proportion of the population over 60 years rising from 27% to nearly 42%. The ageing of a growing permanent population within smaller households will influence the type of dwelling, and the proximity and level of services and facilities demanded. Source: Department of Infrastructure, Victoria in Future 1996. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 2 OF 9 BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME Age Structure PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION 1996 2001 2011 2021 0 – 4 years 6.5 6.1 5.5 5.2 5 – 17 years 17.6 16.0 14.0 13.5 18 – 24 years 7.6 6.9 6.4 6.0 25 – 34 years 11.5 10.2 9.3 8.9 35 – 49 years 19.6 18.0 15.5 14.6 50 – 59 years 10.1 10.8 11.2 10.2 60 – 69 years 12.6 13.1 14.7 15.3 70 – 84 years 13.0 16.3 18.6 20.4 85 years and over 1.6 2.7 4.9 5.9 Source: Department of Infrastructure, Victoria in Future 1996. Source: Department of Infrastructure, Victoria in Future 1996. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 3 OF 9 BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME Settlement patterns Wonthaggi, Inverloch, and Cowes are the major towns within Bass Coast Shire. Other urban settlements are at San Remo, Grantville, Cape Paterson, Dalyston, Kilcunda, Corinella, Coronet Bay, Bass, Newhaven, Rhyll and Ventnor. Small residential estates are scattered throughout the Shire, particularly on Phillip Island and on the Western Port Bay coastline. Many of the residential estates that have developed along the coastline were originally developed as holiday resorts, with the style and quality of building stock reflecting the non- permanent nature of occupation. Some of these estates have been located in sensitive environmental areas. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is progressively acquiring the Summerland Estate to be included within the Phillip Island Nature Park. Low density residential development (generally on lots of between 0.4 - 2.0 hectares) and rural living development (generally on lots of between 2 and 8 hectares) are located on the periphery of some towns and as discrete settlements. Many are the result of restructuring old and inappropriate subdivisions. These properties are generally not used for any form of agricultural activity, however extensive revegetation has occurred on some of these lots. The Shire contains approximately 17,000 dwellings, although only 50% of these are occupied on a permanent basis. The level of permanent occupation of residences within the Shire varies considerably, from approximately 30% on Phillip Island to 70% in Wonthaggi. During school holidays, there is a significant increase in the population at holiday resorts on Phillip Island and at Inverloch, which impacts on a town’s service and facility capabilities. It is estimated that there are around 5,000 vacant residential lots within towns, either already existing or within areas identified as suitable for future residential development. Projected dwelling commencements by the Department of Infrastructure indicate that the Shire will need to accommodate approximately 4,400 additional dwellings by 2011. This expected growth will absorb most of the existing vacant lots and will lead to the subdivision of other land in the Residential Zone which should cater for this expected level of growth. A strategic review of the supply of residential land will need to be undertaken towards the end of this period. The existing residential settlement pattern has historically generally followed the conventional suburban form. Although there is ample vacant residential land within towns, Council is aware that special alternative residential lifestyles, such as recreation or open space/nature based developments, may have to be provided for outside township boundaries. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 4 OF 9 BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME 1981 1986 1991 1996 Wonthaggi 4797 5346 5751 5887 Cowes 1563 2251 2658 3060 Inverloch 1523 1838 2195 2448 Newhaven 505 731 980 1091 Cape Paterson 239 440 517 593 Coronet Bay 165 300 457 482 Corinella 173 235 340 391 Grantville 195 323 383 389 Rhyll 150 225 321 378 Source: Department of Infrastructure, Towns in Time 1999. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 5 OF 9 BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME 21.02-3 Environment 14/12/2006 C55 Natural resources There is a considerable array of natural resources located throughout the Shire. These include: Bass and Powlett Rivers, and, Screw and Ayr Creeks. The wetlands of Western Port Bay, designated in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) 1971. Proclaimed Water Catchment Areas of the Candowie and Lance Creek reservoirs. Significant flora and fauna habitats, in particular at Phillip Island Nature Park, Wonthaggi Heathlands, Thompson Estate at Inverloch, Screw Creek Estuary, Bass River mouth, and nature conservation reserves in the Grantville area. The coastlines of Western Port Bay, Bass Strait and Anderson Inlet. Kilcunda coastline, The Nits, Bunurong Cliffs coastal and marine area, Cape Woolamai State Faunal Reserve, Seals Rocks State Faunal Reserve, Phillip Island southern coastline, Churchill Island and Corinella, all of which are on Register of the National Estate. Significant rural landscapes of the Bass Valley and the Strzelecki Foothills. Environmental hazards Salinity, soil erosion, pest plants (marine and terrestrial) and animals, stormwater and effluent disposal, flooding, wildfire, and land subsidence due to mining, occur in varying degrees throughout Bass Coast Shire. Parts of the coastline may be vulnerable to sea level rise from the Greenhouse Effect in the future. There is mounting evidence to suggest that salinity within the Shire is worsening, in particular at the foothills of the Bass Valley and the area north of Inverloch. Several sites have been identified on Phillip Island. Landcare groups and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment are monitoring the extent and seriousness of salinity. Tunnel erosion, landslips and stream bank erosion are major hazards on the steeper slopes of the Strzelecki foothills. Fencing and tree planting are methods of erosion control works that have been implemented to date. The Powlett River environs are susceptible to flooding, a problem that is heightened by willows which cause soil erosion and affect flow regimes. Flooding of the Bass River is rare. Stormwater drainage is a concern, particularly in urban areas where there is inadequate street drainage infrastructure. Disposal of effluent from both residential areas not connected to sewerage, and low density residential development is a major problem in the municipality, which impacts on the water quality of Western Port Bay and inland waterways. The Roadside Weed Control Program is a joint initiative between the Shire and Landcare groups to eradicate weeds such as blackberries and ragwort. Ragwort is also a particular problem in the Kernot-Krowera area. Wildfire is of concern to both tourists and residents, particularly for those who reside in heavily timbered areas and in the Strzelecki foothills. Large tracts of land around Wonthaggi and Kilcunda have been mined, and are now susceptible to subsidence. MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC STATEMENT - CLAUSE 21.02 PAGE 6 OF 9 BASS COAST PLANNING SCHEME Cultural heritage There are a number of sites of heritage significance within the Shire, in particular around Western Port Bay where early exploration and European settlement occurred.