Petition against rezoning farmland to residential in Bass tabled at council

A Melbourne-based developer wants to turn agricultural land in Bass into a housing development — and local residents are not happy.

This tract of land in Bass could be become a housing development if a Melbourne-based developer gets its way.

A Victorian council is set to vote on rezoning a large tract of farming land to make way for housing triggering an outpouring of anger among more than 100 residents.

The decision, to be voted on by Bass Coast Council on Wednesday, aims to meet the growing demand for housing in the region, sparking heated debate and concerns about the potential consequences for the agricultural industry and the community‘s rural way of life.

The council is seeking to rezone land running along Bass Rd from farming land to low density residential land at the request of a Melbourne-based planning company.

The land is located on the southeast corner of Bass Rd and Statter Misson Rd.

Land in Bass is set to be rezoned if council pass the motion on Wednesday.

It covers an area of 23.61ha is presently used for agriculture, such as grazing pasture and hay production.

Five objections were received by the council however, a petition against the rezoning with more than 100 signatures was also submitted.

The report highlights there is a “current shire-wide lack of supply, and increased demand of low density residential lots”.

“Adoption of the amendment will ensure the ongoing provision of land for housing supply and will enable the improvement of local infrastructure through future development,” it reads.

The petition reads “please help us in the fight to save our township of Bass from developers in losing our spectacular panoramic landscape around our historical township”.

It states the town “is in danger” of losing “prime agricultural land”.

“We do not want to see our farmland swallowed up by low density housing developments as we need to protect it for our future generations to come,” it reads.