farm zone
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VCAT appeal win
Plans for a Kyneton special needs family refuge have been approved in a VCAT appeal despite its Farm Zone location. Mark’s Country Place proposes an outdoor recreation facility with activity rooms and offices for 3.9ha of Farm Zone land at Deep Lead Lane. The proposal also includes car parking for two buses and 22 vehicles…
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Farmers win favour
A Kyneton sheep farming family is bound for big plans after a critical decision was made in their favour. The Pinto family aims to be among Australia’s largest Shropshire breeders and said a permit to build was a “make or break decision”. Their Baynton Road property falls under the 40ha build requirement for the Farm…
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Truffle farm build rejected
Building on a small Farm Zone property has been rejected to support what Macedon Ranges Shire Council has described as “de facto hobby farming”. Plans were to build a home in support of a two-hectare truffle orchard and seasonal grazing on 17 hectares in Lauriston. While no permit was required for the farming activities, building…
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Bid to build in farm zone
New Kyneton farmers aiming to be among Australia’s largest Shropshire sheep breeders are fighting to build in the Farm Zone to realise their dreams. The Pinto family seeks to build shedding, water tank and a family home but their property falls under the 40ha build requirement for the zone. Farm plans present a vision for…
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Exemption on farm worker accommodation
Farmers will no longer require a permit to build on-farm worker accommodation under new Victorian planning changes. The permit exemption is available to accommodate up to 10 workers engaged in agriculture and must be on at least 40 hectares of land in the Farm Zone. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the amendment would remove…
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Farmer wants a home
A Malmsbury cattle farmer is fighting to make his shed turned ‘man-cave’ into a legal residence. Travis Bruni is seeking permanent residence to farm a purebred Angus and Hereford breeding herd and fodder production.He said his shed at the Youngs Road property gradually evolved into a residence over 18 months as he found increased presence…
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Farm build right threat
A strategy aimed at protecting productive agricultural land in the Macedon Ranges is being challenged by farmland owners. The local council’s draft Rural Land Use Strategy will scrap existing rights of landowners to build a dwelling in the Farm Zone on land of 40ha or more, which farmers fear will create barriers and uncertainty about…
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Farm build rights gone?
Landowners in the Macedon Ranges will lose their existing rights to build a dwelling on 40ha or more in the Farm Zone under a state government proposal to protect farmland. It is one of the controversial elements in Planning for Melbourne’s Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Consultation Paper aimed to protect agricultural land within 100km…
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Roadhouse rejected for Woodend
A controversial bid for a 24-hour roadhouse with room for three fast-food restaurants at Woodend North has been rejected by Macedon Ranges Council planners. Plans included 16 fuel bowsers, a convenience store, three kitchens with two drive-throughs, internal and external dining areas, a picnic ground, parking and bays for 13 trucks. The ambitious proposal was…
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Farmers win in land battle
A fourth generation Springfield farming family has taken on the state government in a David and Goliath battle over land, and won. Backed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council, the Clement family succeeded at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in preventing fragmentation of farmland at 75 Clements Road, Springfield. The family donated the land as…
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Farm Zone win for Lancefield family
A Lancefield couple has fought to build their dream home and business in a Rochford-area Farm Zone and won unanimous support from Macedon Ranges councillors, against planning department advice for refusal. The Sankey family purchased their 10.12-hectare property at Rochford Road seven years ago hoping to build a home, relocate their established earthmoving business and…
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Macedon Ranges councillors split on Farm Zone bid
Plans to support a small-scale speckle park cattle breeding pursuit in Woodend North have been knocked back. The application sought to develop a house and large shed at a 6.2-hectare Russells Lane property to manage six cows and their offspring. The plan detailed land management works to rehabilitate the degraded land but ultimately failed in…