SOUTH WEST VICTORIA LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT STUDY Regional Overview Report: Executive Summary June 2013 FOREWORD FOREWORD The landscapes of South West Victoria tell the story of a rich and complex evolution - reflective of the region’s geological morphology, economy, ecology and cultural history. They include the rugged and spectacular Grampians Ranges (Gariwerd); the cones and lakes of the volcanic plains; and the majestic River Red Gums scattered throughout the pastoral lands. The purpose of this landscape assessment is to examine the character and significance of the landscapes of South West Victoria; to understand how they may be affected by future change; and to protect and manage those values that are most important, for future generations. © 2013 DPCD South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study | REGIONAL OVERVIEW REPORT 3 Logo is at twice the size for the footer ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Traditional Owners Project Team The Study acknowledges that the State of Victoria has an ancient and proud Aboriginal history and complex John Phillips (Project Department of Planning and Jacinta Rivette / Jessica City of Greater Geelong ownership and land stewardship systems stretching back Director) Community Development Hurse many thousands of years. We would like to acknowledge Simon Haber (Project Department of Planning and Deon VanBaalen / City of Ballarat the Traditional Owners of this land, and offer our respect Manager Community Development Cameron Haines to the past and present Elders, and through them to all Steph Durant Golden Plains Shire Claire Scott Planisphere Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Barry Green / Dale Hepburn Shire Council Helen Knight Planisphere Tonkinson Isobel Maginn Planisphere Project Participants Sean Greer / Lisa Moorabool Shire Council The Project Team would also like to thank all who have Kate Dundas Planisphere Gervasoni provide input, through the community photographic Chantal Lenthall Planisphere Neil Manning / Joel Ararat Rural City Council exercise, wanting to be kept informed and the sharing Hastings of information and local knowledge. This appreciation Project Reference Group Members Cate Barham Corangamite Catchment extends to the community groups, environmental/ Management Authority landcare groups, progress associations, from local Gillian Bradshaw West Wimmera Shire Council and aboriginal people, academic groups, the Project John Hawker Heritage Victoria Joy Elley Aboriginal Affairs Victoria Mark Marziale / Kathleen Northern Grampians Shire Reference Group Members and others who have followed Gosden and supported the study. Terry Lewis Department of Primary Industries Chris Hall Pyrenees Shire Counci Grant Hull Department of Sustainability Mark Gregory / Aaron Barwon South West Region, and Environment Garrett Department of Planning and Community Development Ray McInerney Corangamite Shire Council Tim Westcott / Eoghan Grampians Region, Mathew Berry / Tony Glenelg Shire Council McColl Department of Planning and Augunis Community Development James Phillips Moyne Shire Council Lucinda Peterson / Daniel Southern Grampians Shire Pech Council Gillian Bradshaw West Wimmera Shire Council Don Lewis Colac Otway Shire Council Edwine Irvine Horsham Rural City Council Tony Baker Wimmera Catchment COVER IMAGE: Lake Linlithgow looking towards Dunkeld / Grampians, Management Authority image courtesy of Tracey Kruger 4 DPCD South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study | REGIONAL OVERVIEW REPORT © 2013 Logo is at twice the size for the footer CONTENTS ▪ Foreword 3 ▪ Acknowledgements 4 Chapter 1: Introduction 7 ▪ Introduction 8 ▪ Study Area 12 ▪ Consultation & Community Values 14 Chapter 2: Landscape Character of South West Victoria 19 ▪ Determining Landscape Character 20 ▪ Landscape Types & Areas of South West Victoria 22 ▪ Landscape Character Types Summary 24 Chapter 3: Significant Landscapes of South West Victoria 29 ▪ Determining Landscape Significance 31 ▪ Landscapes of State & Regional Significance 34 Chapter 3: Significant Views of South West Victoria 55 ▪ Determining the Significance of Views 56 ▪ Views of State & Regional Significance 60 Chapter 5: Landscape Protection & Management 71 ▪ Landscape Protection & Management 72 ▪ Proposed Significant Landscape Overlays 74 ▪ The Significant Landscape Overlay 76 ▪ Mapping the Significant Landscape Overlay 78 © 2013 DPCD South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study | REGIONAL OVERVIEW REPORT 5 Logo is at twice the size for the footer CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Regional Overview Report Purpose of this Study The Department of Planning and Community This document, South West Victoria Development commissioned this landscape assessment Landscape Assessment Study: Regional study of South West Victoria to better understand and Overview Report, provides an executive assess the visual character and significance of the wide range of landscape types, which include the volcanic summary of the landscape character plains and cones that dominate much of the area, to the types, and most significant landscapes of Great Dividing Range in the north, and the Grampians the region. It outlines the methodology in the central west. The study will be used to better to for the study, and contains the key better inform planning scheme policy to assist planning recommendations for protecting and decision making, and to ensure landscapes of importance are adequately protected and management into the managing these landscapes at a state and future. regional level. The South West Landscape Assessment Study, prepared in partnership with local government throughout the region and a range of stakeholders, provides a comprehensive understanding of landscape values, their location and their spatial extent. This will assist regional planning to support economic growth and development investment in the right locations into the future through the Great South Coast, Central Highlands, and Lodden Mallee South Regional Growth Plans, (currently being undertaken by the Victorian Government) and implementation through local government planning schemes. 8 DPCD South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study | REGIONAL OVERVIEW REPORT © 2013 Logo is at twice the size for the footer Study Methodology Public Land (Including National and State Parks) The methodology for landscape assessment studies Landscape assessment studies include extensive field has evolved considerably over ten years of professional work, desktop research, GIS mapping, and comparative An assessment of landscape character and significance practice, from an initial focus on visual significance, to analysis against various sets of criteria in order to assess has been undertaken across the entire study area a holistic approach that considers all cultural landscape and document the character and significance of various irrespective of land tenure (public or private). This was values, including aesthetic values (both visual and non- landscapes and views. Generally, the methodology is considered important for completeness and to inform visual), historic, environmental, scientific, social and other structured around the consideration of the following five a full comparative strategic assessment of significance values. key elements: across the region. A detailed visual assessment is still at the core of ▪ Landscape character Land within the Public Conservation and Resource Zone the work however, largely because the studies are ▪ Landscape significance is governed by legislation such as the Crown Lands (Reserve) Act 1978, and the National Parks Act 1975. This commissioned with the intention of protecting ▪ Community values provides the appropriate framework and context for the landscapes from inappropriate visual intrusion, or from ▪ Change in the landscape management of public land, along with any approved development that detracts from the valued character of ▪ Landscape protection and management the landscape. incorporated plans that seek to manage these public These key elements come together in the‘formula’ below, assets relevant to the purpose of their reservation. around which the studies are structured: Notwithstanding, this study and its findings provides valuable advice and information for Public Land Managers in managing public assets, and in preparing future revisions to management plans or other guidelines. Landscape FUTURE CHARACTER DIRECTIONS Character Anticipated Change & Planning Control & Landscape Management & + Management Issues + Policy Gaps = Protection Landscape Values Aesthetic / Environmental & LANDSCAPE SIGNIFICANCE Scientific / Historic / Social DPCD South West Victoria Landscape Assessment Study | REGIONAL OVERVIEW REPORT 9 Study Outputs South West Victoria South West Victoria South West Victoria Municipal Regional Overview Report Landscape Character Types Significant Landscapes & Implementation Toolkits & Areas Analysis Papers Views Assessment Papers 2 Versions: 1 Volume of 51 Papers 2 Volumes of 53 Papers 1 Volume of 15 Toolkits Executive Summary Extended Version Landscape Character Types & Areas Introduction Landscape Character Types Analysis Significant Landscape Assessment Papers: Study Methodology Papers Significant Landscapes & Views Overview Study Outputs Overview Existing Planning Scheme Provisions Study Area Pattern of Viewing Significance Rating Planning Scheme Recommendations Consultation & Commuity Values Landscape Values Significance Map Change in the Landscape Appendices Landscape Character of South West Aesthetic Values SLO Packages Victoria Future Landscape Character