Agenda item

SUMMARY

The Yarra Ranges municipality has a history of landslip risk, with a number of identified landslip sites including Warburton and Montrose. Recent weather patterns, including increased rainfall and large storms, have heightened the risk of landslips over the past three years.

Council implements several measures to manage and mitigate the risk of landslip by working with Emergency Services to prepare for and respond to risk through municipal emergency risk assessments. Additionally, Council conducts regular inspections and maintenance of critical systems, including roads, stormwater, water supply, power, gas, and telecommunications. These steps help minimize potential impacts, alongside the proactive mitigation of risk through planning scheme overlays.

With the June 2021 storm causing significant tree loss and property damage, there was a need to review current planning provisions and address the increasing likelihood of landslip risk in the Yarra Ranges municipality.

Council received grant funding of $300,000 under the National Emergency Management Agency’s Preparing Australian Communities (PAC) Program – Local to engage a geotechnical consultant to undertake a comprehensive review of landslip risks. This has recommended updating the EMO mapping to inform a proposed planning scheme amendment.

Previous mapping of landslide risk was based on hand drawn maps which then informed the first version of the Erosion Management Overlay in the 1990s. The recent utilisation of advanced three-dimensional mapping technology, named Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), has more accurately identified historic landslips and landslip-prone areas in Yarra Ranges.

Council is required to review and update the Planning Scheme to ensure it is current and responds to new information and changes in circumstances. Updating the Erosion Management Overlay (EMO) in the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme is now needed to reflect this more accurate mapping and Council records of actual landslide events. This is proposed through Planning Scheme Amendment (C225) and will result in both adding and removing properties from the Overlay (a net increase of 1,987 properties added) while also proposing an additional Schedule specific to areas with higher risk of debris flow.

Concurrently it is proposed that the views of the Minister for Planning are sought on applying the EMO to new properties on an interim basis to ensure new and accurate mapping is included in the planning scheme and considered as part of planning applications, whilst Amendment C225 is exhibited.

The amendment proposes to introduce the EMO planning control to some properties that do not currently have it, which may be viewed with concern by these property owners. To assist with understanding the implications it is proposed that fact sheets be prepared when the amendment is exhibited to provide further information on the proposed changes for residents.

Emergency management arrangements are also being reviewed and updated to include specific protocols for landslip events, ensuring appropriate response and effective coordination among emergency services. Targeted community resilience activities have been delivered and will continue to support and inform residents about landslip risks, prevention and preparedness, as well as the impact of rainfall thresholds on landslip likelihood on private property.

Cr Cox left the meeting at 8:05 pm prior to consideration of the item, having declared a conflict of interest in this item.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Higgins, Cr Mcilwain, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott and Cr Mazzarella spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:      Cr Child, Cr Heenan, Cr Higgins, Cr Ward, Cr Mcilwain,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr McAllister, Cr Marriott and Cr Cox.

Against:         Nil

Cr Cox returned to the meeting at 8:21 pm following a vote being taken.