WELLINGTON Shire Council is working with the state government to find a use for the former Sale police station site.
A request has been received from the Department of Justice to rezone the site of the former Sale police station on York St.
The new police station opened at the corner of Reeve and Foster Sts last month.
According to an update from council’s strategic land use planning projects review group, council officers and a consultant appointed by the department are working on a draft planning provision to facilitate the development of the old station site in accordance with council’s strategic aspirations.
Council planning documents have identified civic and tourism purposes, including the development of a high quality apartment complex with a cafe overlooking Lake Guthridge, as potential uses.
Councillor Darren McCubbin said there had been much interest in the future of the York St site, pointing to discussion on the Gippsland Times Facebook page.
“There are has been some discussion with our planners and the state government, who will ultimately have the final say here, into what is the appropriate zoning of that land,” he said.
The strategic planning group also reported dates had been set for the panel hearing into proposed residential developments along Stevens St, Sale.
The hearings will take place from April 20 to 22 with the independent panel of planning experts to consider both sides of the debate.
The panel will then report to council on the applications with council to decide whether the planning permits should be granted.
Meanwhile, work on development plans for north Sale, south Wurruk, Longford and Rosedale are progressing.
Consultants are preparing an outline development and developer contributions plans for north Sale.
The outline development plan is a tool for landowners, developers, council and the community to ensure a co-ordinated approach for planning new communities.
The developer contributions plan helps to fairly apportion the costs associated with the infrastructure required for future development.
A series of stakeholder workshops was held last month, and a draft design response plan is being prepared.
The process is likely to be completed later this year.
A draft outline development plan is being prepared for south Wurruk, while a draft plan for Longford is on display for public comment until Friday before being presented to council for further discussion.
Cr McCubbin said the exhibition period had given residents the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on the nature of development.
“I know in Longford there’s a lot of discussion about whether that should be residential or rural residential,” he said.
An independent planning panel will on Friday hear submissions on the implementation of the Rosedale Structure Plan.
Council received 14 submissions, including five from the community, on the plan which outlines potential changes to zones around the town.
Council is preparing planning scheme amendments to implement recommendations from reviews of rural residential lots and planning controls around Port Albert.
The community will have the chance to make submissions on the amendments.
With objections likely, the process is set to go through a panel of independent planning experts.
