7.0 MUNICIPAL OVERVIEW – LATROBE CITY

Latrobe City has a land area of about 1400 square kilometres 7.1 Southern section and a population of approximately 76 150. The municipality comprises several major urban centres being: Churchill, Moe/ The southern section of the municipality comprises a Newborough, Morwell and Traralgon. Smaller townships of combination of cleared farming land and the vegetated hills of the Boolarra, Glengarry, Toongabbie, Tyers, Traralgon South, Yallourn Strzelecki Ranges. North and Yinnar also contain a considerable concentration of population. The municipality comprises diverse environments Existing settlements and townships located between bushfire ranging from the rich agricultural river flats to the rain forested hazards were identified to the south of the municipality, where hills of the Strzelecki ranges. The municipality is known for its potential rural-residential growth is contemplated. This was production of coal, providing a vast majority of Victorians with particularly prevalent in areas in proximity to the Strzelecki electricity. Ranges.

7.2 Northern section

The northern section of the municipality comprises established settlements, cleared farming land and coal extraction areas.

Existing settlements, undeveloped lots and townships located between bushfire hazard areas are dispersed throughout the municipality, in particular the major settlements of Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.

Bushfire interfaces were identified in proximity to coal resources, however development buffers limit future development potential in proximity to these State significant resources.

The planning scheme contemplates strategic growth opportunities to the north of the municipality in locations where rural-residential development is currently provided. These areas were identified as having development potential due to their location in the rural living zone and are also generally affected by bushfire hazards.

28 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION LATROBE MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 1

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Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 29 LATROBE MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 2

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30 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION LATROBE – IDENTIFIED AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE

IDENTIFIED LOCATION DESCRIPTION AREA CODE

37-001 Boolarra Cluster of medium rural-residential lots in landscape containing scattered vegetation. A state park interfaces to the north-west of the rural cluster.

37-002 Boolarra Northern boundary of Boolarra urban settlement interfaces with bushfire hazard.

37-003 South Boolarra Southern and eastern boundary of small residential lots south of Boolarra interfaces with a bushfire hazard.

37-004 East Boolarra Cluster of rural-residential lots, in and abutting a bushfire hazard. The settlement contains both lots in vegetation and abutting vegetation in cleared land.

37-005 Yinnar South Cluster of medium rural-residential lots in and abutting a bushfire hazard in Yinnar South. The settlement contains both lots in vegetation and abutting vegetation with cleared land. Undeveloped lots in the bushfire hazard area are also identified.

37-006 Yinnar South Planning scheme provides for a southern extension of Yinnar South towards a bushfire hazard area.

37-007 Yinnar South Planning scheme provides for a northern extension of Yinnar South settlement in proximity to a bushfire hazard area.

37-008 Jeeralang Junction Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots, in and abutting a bushfire hazard area to the south and east of Jeeralang Junction. The settlement contains both lots in vegetation and abutting vegetation in cleared land.

37-009 Hazelwood South Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots, in and abutting a bushfire hazard in Hazelwood South. The settlement contains lots in a rural living landscape abutting plantation land uses.

37-010 Callignee Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots in Callignee North in a bushfire hazard area. The settlement interfaces with a state park to the north, with scattered vegetation located throughout.

37-011 Traralgon South The urban settlement of Traralgon South including rural living environments to the south interface with bushfire hazard areas further east. Residential development generally occurs in a linear manner into bushfire hazard south of Traralgon-Balook Road.

37-012 Callignee North Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots located in Callignee North, interfacing with state and national parks to the east and west. Scattered patches of vegetation are located throughout the settlement. Multiple access roads exist in the area albeit located in bushfire hazard with indirect routes to surrounding urban development.

37-013 Hazelwood North Medium size rural residential lots in proximity to bushfire hazard area located to the east. Bushfire hazards include plantation land uses.

37-014 Moe South Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots in a rural landscape, with dense and scattered vegetation located throughout. The northern boundary of the settlement interfaces with the Edward Hunter Heritage Reserve.

37-015 Moe South Southern boundary of small residential lots in Moe South interfaces with a bushfire hazard.

37-016 East of Moe South Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots in a rural landscape, with dense and scattered vegetation located throughout. (Hernes Oak)

37-017 Tanjil South Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots in a bushfire hazard area. Lots in this cluster are both developed and undeveloped, with potential for future development.

37-018 Yallourn North Yallourn North township interfaces a bushfire hazard area.

Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 31 LATROBE – IDENTIFIED AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE cont...

IDENTIFIED LOCATION DESCRIPTION AREA CODE

37-019 Yallourn North Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots dispersed in a rural living landscape across vegetated and undulating topography.

37-020 North of Morwell Northern boundary of settlement north of Morwell interfaces with a bushfire hazard. The area further north includes industrial uses in bushfire hazard area surrounded by vegetation of high and very high significance.

37-021 West Traralgon Western boundary of West Traralgon settlement interfaces with a bushfire hazard.

37-022 West Traralgon Planning scheme provides for township extension of West Traralgon, which may interface with bushfire hazard.

37-023 Tyers Northern boundary of Tyers settlement interfaces with a bushfire hazard.

37-024 Tyers Cluster medium size rural-residential lots along the Glengarry Tyers Road in a bushfire hazard area.

37-025 West of Glengarry North Single constructed road servicing rural-residential lots.

37-026 West of Glengarry North Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots, surrounded by vegetation. A single access road services the settlement.

37-027 West of Toongabbie The western part of Toongabbie settlement provides a semi-rural transition area between the urban and consolidated township settlement and expansive vegetated state park further west.

37-028 North of Toongabbie Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots interfacing with state park to the west. Scattered vegetation is located in the settlement.

37-029 South of Moe Planning scheme provides for the southern expansion of the settlement located to the south of Moe towards bushfire hazard area.

37-030 Koornalla Cluster of medium size residential lots in Koornalla surrounded by vegetated undulating landscapes and valleys. The settlement is located amongst bushfire hazard.

32 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 8.0 MUNICIPAL OVERVIEW – SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE

South Gippsland Shire has an area of about 4300 square 8.1 Inland area kilometres and a population of approximately 28 100. The municipality is characterised by a diverse landscape of ranges, The inland area of the municipality consists primarily of grazing plains, low lying land and coastal areas. It comprises significant land, settlement areas and the Strzelecki Ranges. The Strzelecki coastal tourist attractions, including Wilsons Promontory Ranges consist of moderate to steep slopes, warm temperate National Park, coastal foothills, the Strzelecki Ranges and rainforest, hills and plains. various smaller state and national parks. The municipality also contains agricultural areas which is used for the grazing of Clusters of small to medium sized lots used for residential livestock. purposes were identified in bushfire hazard areas around a number of townships with a history of bushfire. Wilsons Promontory National Park and coastal areas to the north and to the north-west of the National Park contain large stands of 8.2 Coastal area native vegetation. Native forests and plantation forestry occur in the Strzelecki Ranges. The most common habitats are wet forest, The coastal settlements of the Shire are located along Bass dry sclerophyll woodland, coastal Banksia woodland, heath and Straight and in the Wilsons Promontory Marine Reserve. The grasslands. western coastal section of the municipality is not suitable for development, due to its steep topography and vegetated dunes. Climatic conditions and rainfall in the municipality reduce the The eastern coastal landscapes of the Shire, surrounding Corner level of fire hazard, particularly in the areas in and around the Inlet are largely open and flat. natural rainforest areas. The assessment identified several settlements along the coastline which interface with a bushfire hazard and with vegetation of high to very high conservation significance.

There is a prevalence of single access roads, particularly outside populated settlement areas, providing access for rural properties and to properties located along vegetated coastline.

Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 33 SOUTH GIPPSLAND MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 1

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34 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION SOUTH GIPPSLAND MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 2

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Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 35 SOUTH GIPPSLAND – IDENTIFIED AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE

IDENTIFIED LOCATION DESCRIPTION AREA CODE

61-001 Venus Bay Clusters of medium sized lots primarily used for holiday and recreational purposes. Dwellings in Venus Bay are surrounded by coastal vegetation. A single access road provides the only road vehicle egress and ingress into the settlement.

61-002 Venus Bay Single constructed road servicing the Venus Bay settlement including medium and small sized lots (Lees Road)

61-003 Venus Bay Cluster of small lots used for residential purposes. Bushfire hazard and vegetation permeates into developed urban areas primarily from the west.

61-004 Venus Bay Cluster of small lots used for residential purposes. Bushfire hazard and vegetation permeates into developed urban areas primarily from the west.

61-005 West of Walkerville South Cluster of medium sized rural-residential lots abutting bushfire hazard. The hazard is generally driven by the presence of coastal vegetation along the northern and western edges of the lots.

61-006 West of Walkerville South Single constructed road servicing dwellings in a dispersed rural landscape adjacent to coastal bushfire hazard.

61-007 Walkerville South Separate clusters of small lots in a Township Zone located both to the south and east of bushfire hazard in a coastal environment. Some lots in the settlement are surrounded by vegetation.

61-008 Walkerville South Cluster of small rural lots serviced by Walkerville Road providing access to dwellings.

61-009 Walkerville South Single access road servicing clusters of dwellings located along the coast and abutting bushfire hazard.

61-010 Walkerville Small lots in Walkerville in a bushfire hazard area. State park is located to south and east of settlement containing vegetation of high to very high conservation significance.

61-011 Waratah Bay Cluster of small lots located in a bushfire hazard area. The settlement is developed along the coastline adjacent to state park to the west, comprising vegetation of high to very high conservation significance. Medium size lots also exist at the northern edge of Waratah Bay establishing a semi rural environment where the settlement interfaces with vegetation.

61-012 Waratah Bay / Sandy Point Single access roads to the settlements of Waratah Bay and Sandy Point. It is noted that the access roads are located in a landscape devoid of vegetation.

61-013 Sandy Point Cluster of small lots in proximity to bushfire hazard. Coastal vegetation abuts the settlement to the south and east.

61-014 Yanakie Cluster of medium size lots adjacent to coastal vegetation in a peninsula landscape. The area includes primarily undeveloped lots including large farming lots with the presence of residential development primarily along the east coast line.

61-015 Waratah North Cluster of medium size lots with development in a rural landscape with scattered vegetation. Settlement is affected by a bushfire hazard.

61-016 Waratah North Single constructed road servicing dwellings in Waratah North.

61-017 Waratah North Cluster of medium size lots with development in a rural landscape with scattered vegetation. Settlement is affected by a bushfire hazard

61-018 Foster Planning scheme provides for southern and northern expansion of township towards a fire hazard area.

61-019 Foster Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots in a bushfire hazard area. Scattered vegetation is located in the lot cluster.

61-020 Foster Planning scheme provides for western extension of Foster township interfacing with a bushfire hazard.

36 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION SOUTH GIPPSLAND – IDENTIFIED AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE cont...

IDENTIFIED LOCATION DESCRIPTION AREA CODE

61-021 Foster The eastern and western edges of Foster interface with bushfire hazard. Vegetation extends through riparian vegetation corridors and permeates into established urban development.

61-022 Port Welshpool Single access road to the coastal settlement of Port Welshpool.

61-023 Port Welshpool Northern boundary of Port Welshpool interfaces with a bushfire hazard.

61-024 Koonwarra The settlement of Koonwarra is an isolated settlement which contains vegetation at the periphery and in lots. Whilst the settlement is not adjacent to expansive forested state or national parks, specific local knowledge identifies the area as one which contains vegetation susceptible to a bushfire event.

61-025 Mirboo North / Baromi The settlements of Mirboo North and Baromi interface with bushfire hazard and include a combination of small and medium size lots containing vegetation of high and very high conservation significance. The interface occurs in and around the existing golf course and south of Railway Road.

61-026 Mirboo North (western The area to the west of Mirboo North contains a mixture of landscapes and subdivision patterns, including small and medium size lots interspersed with vegetated reserves extent) and rural living land. The area forms the western periphery of the township with a combination of living environments susceptible to the impacts of bushfires.

61-027 Darlimurla Cluster of medium sized rural-residential lots in Darlimurla, surrounded by state forest, containing vegetation of high to very high conservation significance. The area also contains a cluster of small lots in bushfire hazard adjacent to Darlimurla Road in the north-east.

61-028 Hallston Single road providing access to dwellings developed in a rural faming landscape.

61-029 Nyora Western boundary of Nyora interfacing with a bushfire hazard.

61-030 Nyora / Nyora North The urban and semi-rural settlements of Nyora interface with bushfire hazard to the west located in and around existing quarries.

61-031 North of Nyora A cluster of medium size rural-residential lots north of Nyora, abutting bushland to the west, containing vegetation of high to very high conservation significance. Existing vegetation permeates the western portion of the rural living environment.

61-032 Kongwak Southern boundary of Kongwak settlement interfaces with a bushfire hazard located in vegetated reserve. Vegetated riparian corridor also extends into the settlement.

Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 37 9.0 MUNICIPAL OVERVIEW – WELLINGTON SHIRE

Wellington Shire has an area of about 4100 square kilometres and 9.1 Southern and central areas 9.3 Northern area a population of approximately 43 600. The municipality includes the townships of Yarram, Rosedale and Sale and extends inland The majority of settlements in Wellington are located in the The northern area of the municipality comprises the Alpine to include the rugged country of the Great Dividing Range north southern and central areas of the municipality which is where the National Park and contains a diverse range of vegetation. Densely of Maffra and Stratford. majority of areas identified through the assessment have been populated and consolidated settlements directly interfacing located. with a fire hazard was uncommon in the northern part of the The municipality encompasses the Alpine National Park, which municipality. However, scattered rural lots used for residential contains a diverse range of vegetation. Mature Alpine Ash forests The assessment identified that a number of rural settlements purposes were identified in proximity to the National Park. are common higher up the mountains and Snow Gums are the in the proximity of Heyfield and Glenmaggie interfaced with the predominant eucalypts in the woodlands around the snowline. In bushfire hazard. Planned strategic growth opportunities in the exposed higher areas where conditions are too severe for trees, planning scheme were identified to the north of Heyfield and to a the vegetation changes to heathlands, alpine herbfields and settlement located to the north of Yarram. grasslands, moss beds and snow patch communities. There are a number of single access roads in the vicinity of The most recent bushfires were the Great Divide fires in Maffra West Upper towards Woolenook in the north east. The 2004/2005 and 2006/2007. assessment identified many single dirt roads providing the only access and egress for settlements and properties which are located in a bushfire hazard area.

9.2 Coastal area

The coastal area of Wellington comprises a scenic coastline with vegetation of very high conservation significance.

Bushfire hazard areas were identified adjoining a number of settlements along the coastline, particularly from the Honeysuckles to Loch Sport. Coastal settlement to the south is constrained due to the natural topography of the area.

The northern coastal region of the municipality was identified as an area of bushfire hazard with significant vegetation, particularly in the vicinity of the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park.

The coastal areas of the municipality are often constrained by single access roads.

38 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION WELLINGTON MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 1

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Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 39 WELLINGTON MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 2

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40 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION WELLINGTON MUNICIPAL MAP – MAP 3

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Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 41 WELLINGTON – IDENTIFIED AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE

IDENTIFIED LOCATION DESCRIPTION AREA CODE

70-001 West of Devon North Cluster of rural-residential lots west of Devon North located in a bushfire hazard area. The settlement interfaces with state park to the north and west, which comprises vegetation of high to very high conservation significance.

70-002 North of Yarram Planning scheme provides for the extension of the settlement north of Yarram. Area of development potential identified east of the Hyland Hwy.

70-003 North of Yarram Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots, comprising scattered vegetation in a bushfire hazard area.

70-004 Won Wron Cluster of medium size lots in proximity to bushfire hazard in the Rural Living Zone. Some small sized lots also exist with a frontage to the Hyland Hwy.

70-005 Woodside Northern and western boundary of Woodside settlement interfaces with a bushfire hazard. The settlement contains small and medium lots in Township and Rural Living Zones.

70-006 Callignee North Specific local conditions apply to a cluster of lots in a bushfire hazard area. Area may have considerable sub-division potential.

70-007 Carrajung Cluster of small lots in a bushfire hazard area. Vegetation of high to very high conservation significance.

70-008 Gormandale Eastern boundary of Gormandale settlement interfaces with a bushfire hazard. Gormandale contains residential lots in Township and Rural Living Zones.

70-009 Willung Cluster of medium size lots located in proximity to bushfire hazard area. Lots predominantly are in excess of 0.4 hectares however a cluster of small lots also exist along Willung Hall Road and Page Lane.

70-010 Longford Rural living settlement of Longford interfaces with bushfire hazard to the west including plantation land uses.

70-011 Seaspray Grasslands interface area between more significant forested bushfire hazard and Seaspray settlement.

70-012 Honeysuckles Cluster of small coastal lots directly interfacing with coastal vegetation with potential to create fire hazard. Access is gained from Shoreline Drive. The northern boundary of the settlement interfaces with an inland river.

70-013 Glomar Beach / Flamingo Cluster of small coastal lots in a bushfire hazard area. The northern boundary of the settlement interfaces with an inland river. Beach / Golden Beach / Paradise Beach

70-014 Loch Sport Single constructed road to Loch Sport through a bushfire hazard area.

70-015 Loch Sport Southern boundary of Loch Sport interfaces with bushfire hazard.

70-016 Hollands Landing Cluster of small lots in a bushfire hazard area. Settlement is generally undeveloped.

70-017 North of Briagolong Cluster of medium size residential lots north of Briagolong. Settlement is surrounded by state park to the north and east and cleared land to the south.

70-018 North of Briagolong A single road provides access to isolated rural dwellings in proximity to a state park.

70-019 Maffra West Upper Cluster of predominantly undeveloped medium sized rural-residential lots, with some scattered rural settlements in a bushfire hazard.

70-020 Coongulla North-western boundary of Coongulla interfaces with a bushfire hazard.

70-021 Coongulla Cluster of medium size rural-residential lots surrounded by dense and scattered vegetation in a bushfire hazard area.

70-022 Coongulla Small cluster of medium size rural lots abutting the north of Lake Glenmaggie, affected by a bushfire hazard. Scattered vegetation is identified throughout the settlement.

42 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION WELLINGTON – IDENTIFIED AREA DESCRIPTION TABLE cont...

IDENTIFIED LOCATION DESCRIPTION AREA CODE

70-023 Glenmaggie Cluster of small lots abutting the south of Lake Glenmaggie, affected by a bushfire hazard. Scattered vegetation is identified throughout the settlement.

70-024 South Glenmaggie / North Small cluster of medium sized lots abutting Lake Glenmaggie, affected by a bushfire hazard. Scattered vegetation is identified throughout the settlement. of Dawson Scattered vegetation is identified throughout the settlement comprising of vegetation of high to very high conservation significance.

70-025 North of Dawson Planning scheme provides for extension of township to the south east, in a bushfire hazard area.

70-026 North of Heyfield Medium sized rural lots in the Rural Living Zone providing interfaces to the urban settlement of Hayfield. Rural environment is located in proximity to bushfire hazard to the north.

70-027 Seaton Planning scheme provides for extension of township to the south and west, in a bushfire hazard area.

70-028 Licola Small lots in the township of Licola are located in proximity to vegetated environments and bushfire hazard.

70-029 Licola North Includes rural lots in a farming zone context containing residential development in proximity to bushfire hazard area.

70-030 Dargo Cluster of rural lots in state park. Settlement is predominantly undeveloped however isolated settlements may be identified in the area.

70-031 Maffra West Single access road servicing a cluster of predominantly undeveloped medium sized rural-residential lots, with some scattered rural settlements in a bushfire hazard.

70-032 North of Briagolong Single constructed road to settlement north of Briagolong, servicing scattered and isolated rural-residential lots in the state park.

70-33 Balook Cluster of dwellings located in a rural environment surrounded by vegetation. The lots are generally in excess of four hectares and are located in the Farming Zone.

Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION 43 ISBN 978-1-921940-39-2

Published by the Victorian Government Department of Planning and Community Development Melbourne, April 2012.

© The State of Victoria Department of Planning and Community Development 2012.

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

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44 Regional Bushfire Planning Assessment | GIPPSLAND REGION