Ballarat North PSP

Context

The Ballarat North PSP project will unlock the area as greenfield land supply and will be City of Ballarat's next residential growth area.

The area is located to the north of the Western Freeway, west of Midland Highway and south of Miners Rest.

The area is currently used for farming purposes with some low density residential areas and an existing school.

The total site area is 832ha and is split into two areas. The 'Core Area' is 567ha and the 'Expanded Area' is 265ha.

History

In 2016, Council officers prepared the Long Term Growth Options Investigation paper to identify the next residential growth area. The paper identified the Ballarat North Core Area as Council’s next residential growth area. The Expanded Area was subsequently identified following community consultation.

Council Meeting February 2022, resolved to:

  • Seek Ministerial Authorization to rezone the Northern Growth Area.
  • Commence preparation of a PSP for the Northern Growth Area.

In August 2022, the Minister for Planning appointed the VPA to prepare a PSP for the Core Area and to consider whether the Expanded Area should be included in the PSP. At the same time, the Core Area was rezoned to ‘Urban Growth Zone.’

Core and Expanded Areas

The Ballarat North PSP process will determine whether the Expanded Area will be included in the PSP.

In the event that the Expanded Area is not included in the PSP, City of Ballarat will review future steps for this area to be developed.

How are PSPs prepared?

The process to prepare a PSP is listed below:

  • Undertake background studies related to drainage, traffic (and any other issue) to determine opportunities and constraints.
  • Using the information from the background studies, prepare detailed plans including a Future Urban Structure Plan to inform future development.
  • Undertake Exhibition and a Planning Panel (if required).
  • The Planning Minister approves the final PSP and gazettes it into the Planning Scheme.
  • Once approved, developers can begin to apply to Council for planning permits to develop the land.

The VPA Ballarat North PSP webpage outlines the most up to date information on the project including a timeline - https://vpa.vic.gov.au/project/ballarat-north/

Why do we need to prepare a PSP?

PSPs are created by local or state government authorities for areas experiencing significant growth.

The benefit of a PSP is that growth is planned for in advance, with infrastructure items like shopping centres, schools, parks, walking tracks and road links all pre-planned. This ensures that infrastructure is provided appropriate to the expected population increase.

Glossary

See below for a glossary of terms

During the Planning Scheme Amendment process, an amendment is made publicly available to view. During this time, the community can make submissions about the proposal.

This is the key plan that provides the overall direction on the location of future land uses, major transport networks, open space and activity centres within the precinct structure plan (PSP).

After a planning authority has adopted an amendment, the amendment is submitted to the Minister for Planning for consideration and decision.

An amendment becomes part of the planning scheme when it is approved and notice is published in the Victoria Government Gazette.

Greenfield land is land previously undeveloped and is typically agricultural or rural in nature on the edge of a town. It transitions into residential or other urban uses.

A panel is appointed by the Minister for Planning to hear submissions about planning projects, and to make recommendations or provide advice on the project.

A planning scheme is a document approved by the Victorian Government which outlines objectives, policies and controls for the use, development and protection of land for each municipality across Victoria. A planning scheme controls land use and development within a municipal district.

The precinct structure plan (PSP) is a long-term plan for urban development. It describes how the land is expected to be developed, and how and where services and infrastructure are planned to support the development of new communities. 

The UGZ applies to land that has been identified for future urban development. The UGZ:

  • manages the transition of non-urban land into urban land.
  • encourages the development of well-planned and well-serviced new urban communities, generally in accordance with a precinct structure plan.
  • reduces the number of development approvals needed in areas where a precinct structure plan is approved.
  • safeguards non-urban land from use and development that could prejudice its future urban development.

A State government authority that are responsible for planning new greenfield suburbs across Victoria.