Traralgon East Bulky Goods Precinct Development Plan

Latrobe City Council has received a Development Plan (DP) for the Traralgon East Bulky Goods Precinct, located at the corner of Princes Highway and Stammers Road, Traralgon East.

The site is identified in the Traralgon Town Structure Plan as a key location for large-format retail (bulky goods) development and forms part of the eastern gateway to Traralgon.

What is a Development Plan?

A Development Plan is required under the Latrobe Planning Scheme (Schedule 4 to the Development Plan Overlay) before development of this land can occur.

It is a strategic planning step that establishes how land will be developed in an orderly, coordinated and integrated way.

The Development Plan sets out the overall framework for the site, including:

• The layout of roads, accessways and intersections
• Car parking areas and how people move through the site
• Landscaping, vegetation retention and buffer areas
• Stormwater management and drainage systems
• Protection and integration of waterways and environmental features
• The general location of buildings, loading areas and services

What is being proposed?

The Development Plan proposes to facilitate the development of a bulky goods retail precinct, which typically includes large-format retail tenancies supported by shared accessways, car parking and servicing areas.

The plan shows how the site could be developed over time, including:

• An internal road network for customers and service vehicles
• Centralised car parking areas
• Landscaping and buffer areas along key road frontages and the adjacent waterway
• Stormwater treatment systems, including bioretention areas
• Provision of essential infrastructure, such as water, sewer, drainage and utilities
• Retention of selected native vegetation where appropriate

What happens next?

If Council endorses the Development Plan:

• Future development of the land will require one or more planning permit applications
• These permits will assess detailed building design, layout, access, landscaping and amenity impacts
• Each permit application may be subject to further notice and review processes, depending on the proposal

What this stage does (and does not do)

It is important to understand that this Development Plan:

Does:

• Establish the overall layout and structure of the development
• Confirm how the land will be serviced and accessed
• Ensure appropriate buffers, landscaping and environmental management

Does not:

• Approve specific buildings or detailed architectural design
• Determine which shops or businesses will operate on the site
• Approve signage, lighting or detailed construction outcomes

These matters will be considered at the planning permit stage and under the Commercial 2 Zone provisions of the planning scheme.

Why is Council seeking your feedback?

Council is inviting community feedback to ensure the Development Plan:

• Provides a safe and efficient transport network, including access to and from the site
• Appropriately manages traffic, parking and servicing requirements
• Provides suitable landscaping, buffers and visual amenity outcomes
• Responds appropriately to the waterway corridor and surrounding land uses
• Delivers a coordinated and high-quality outcome for this important gateway location

Your feedback will help Council determine whether the Development Plan should be endorsed, amended, or supported with changes.