Council last night agreed to open public consultation on the draft Big Hill and Mandurang Valley Landscape Review.
The Landscape Review builds on the previous landscape assessment work carried out as part of Planning Scheme Amendment C217.
The Amendment at the time was not supported through an independent panel hearing, with particular concerns related to the proposed overlay boundaries.
This new work has been directly informed by the key gaps and recommendations outlined by the panel.
It assessed the area that runs from Harcourt North in the south up to parts of Strathdale in the north and across to Ravenswood and Lockwood South in the west.
Fieldwork has been carried out as part of the study to document key views. The results of this assessment are part of a broader analysis of particular viewpoints and viewing corridors across or towards identified significant landscapes and features in the Big Hill and Mandurang Valley areas.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the draft report included a comprehensive visual analysis and assessment to understand the visual exposure and value of significant landscape features.
"The draft report finds that Big Hill ridgeline, the upper slopes and the Big Hill Granitic Uplands areas are the most highly valued landscape features of a regional significance level that are visually prominent from key frequented viewing corridors and viewpoints," Cr Metcalf said.
"The report recommends a Significant Landscape Overlay be applied over these areas."
The draft report found that a Significant Landscape Overlay was not justified over the Mandurang Valley area, in contrast to previous studies, due to having lower levels of visual significance and exposure. Alternative planning controls to guide the use and development in these landscapes may be investigated by the City in future.
Community involvement has also guided the revised work for the report. A community survey was held last November that captured community values for the area, including scenery and outdoors, wildlife and biodiversity, history and cultural heritage, recreation and activities, agriculture, productivity and economic return.
The community is now invited to comment on the draft report and recommendations on the City engagement platform. Public consultation is open until Tuesday August 13.
Letters have also been sent to property and landowners who could be impacted by the application of the proposed Significant Landscape Overlay, based on the draft report recommendations.
Once public consultation closes, a report will be presented to Council in the near future outlining the feedback received and the next steps if the report is adopted.
It should be noted that for a Significant Landscape Overlay to be applied at Big Hill, a separate future planning scheme amendment process would be required and involves a public exhibition.
