Summary of Feedback – Draft Land Use Plan and Engagement Report

On Friday the 15 June the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) released the Anglesea Futures – Summary of Feedback - Draft Land Use Plan and Engagement Report.

Its release is consistent with the Government’s commitment to share a summary of feedback following each round of engagement.

DELWP appreciates the diverse and often passionate views of people and organisations that have participated in Anglesea Futures. We value your time, insight and persistence over the past three years.

There are many voices within the Anglesea community and this is reflected in feedback that ranged from support to concern. All have been considered on their merits in the preparation of the final Plan which also needs to consider relevant policies and site attributes.

Feedback received is being considered by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and the Minister for Planning to inform a decision on the final Plan, which is expected to be released in the near future.

Draft Land Use Plan

The feedback period closed for the Draft Land Use Plan, following engagement from 18 December 2017 to 16 March 2018.

For reference, please see a copy of the Draft Land Use Plan at: www.engage.vic.gov.au/angleseafutures


Land Use Plan

The Anglesea Futures Strategic Land Use Plan is being prepared for the Anglesea Futures study area to the north of Anglesea, including the former power station and mine. The Plan will identify potential future land uses on private and public land (Crown land), including land currently leased by Alcoa.

Being at a strategic level the Plan will inform future decisions on activities, management, protection, changes to land tenure and any development on the land.

It is important to understand that the Plan will provide a strategic direction and will guide future implementation steps. While the Plan provides a framework to guide the future, it does not rezone any land nor approve any development, which will need to go through standard planning processes, including public consultation.

The Plan is being prepared by the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
Below is an outline of the updated timeline for the The Anglesea Futures Strategic Land Use Plan.
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For further information please visit:  www.engage.vic.gov.au/angleseafutures

Community engagement to inform the preparation of the Plan is part of the Anglesea Futures Community Conversations.


Conversation series


The Anglesea Futures Community Conversations series commenced in August 2015. The series is coordinated by DELWP, Surf Coast Shire Council and Parks Victoria and seeks to provide a forum for community discussion and feedback on a range of issues. These issues include future land use, protection of the Anglesea Heath, management of the Anglesea River and the long-term vision for the Anglesea Region.

In 2016 the series focused on understanding the predicted changes to the physical character and ecological, social and economic values of the Anglesea River estuary resulting from the closure of the power station. Options to manage the predicted change were widely discussed.

In 2017 the conversation series focused on the future use of the Anglesea power station, coal mine and the Anglesea Heath.

In 2018 the focus so far has been the Draft Land Use Plan and the preparation of The Anglesea Futures Strategic Land Use Plan. 

Read our fact sheets about Angelsea Futures


The Anglesea Heath


The Victorian Government committed to incorporating the Anglesea Heath into the adjacent Great Otway National Park. More than 6,510 hectares of Anglesea Heath has been added to the national park thanks to the early surrender of land by Alcoa. Legislation to incorporate the Heath into the National Park was gazetted on 15 December 2017.

The Anglesea Heath is a unique haven for native flora and fauna and is home to approximately a quarter of Victoria's plant species including:

  • More than 100 species of orchid, making it one of the most orchid-rich sites in Australia
    20 species of flora that are rare or threaten in Victoria
    8 species of flora that are rate or threaten in Australia
    The Heath is also home to the Powerful Owl, Crimson Rosella, Rufous Bristlebird, New Holland Mouse, Swamp Antechinus and Swamp Skink.

Guiding Principles

The State Government, Surf Coast Shire and Alcoa in conjunction with the community have developed a set of guiding principles to inform conversations on a range of issues including future land use, water, planning and provide a framework for decision making.

  • Value and complement the natural environment
  • Support a diverse range of future uses and outcomes
  • Honour the various cultural and heritage values of the area
  • Compliment the future of the Anglesea Region
  • Provide a safe and stable landform for future uses

More information

Contact: anglesea.futures@delwp.vic.gov.au