Council has approved the next steps for the Big Hill and Mandurang Valley Landscape Review 2024.
The project investigated significant landscapes in the Big Hill and Mandurang Valley areas and will now seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare and exhibit Planning Scheme Amendment C288gben.
This work aligns with an action within the Greater Bendigo Council Plan (Mir wimbul) 2021-2025 to scope a gateway study for Big Hill and Mandurang Valley.
The review looked at 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 was carried out as part of the study to document key views. The results of this assessment were 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.
The report found that the 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.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the review clarified the next steps to protect these valued landscapes.
"It provides a detailed landscape review that includes a comprehensive visual analysis and assessment that helps to understand the visual exposure and value of significant landscape features," Cr Metcalf said.
"Council supported the recommendations for revised Significant Landscape Overlay boundaries over these areas."
The report also found that the 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 address the protection of these landscapes may be investigated by the City in future.
Public consultation 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.
