At the July 2023 Council Meeting it was resolved to request Ministerial consent for the preparation and exhibition of Planning Scheme Amendment C294 to the Casey Planning Scheme.

C294 proposes to amend Schedule 1 to the Special Use Zone and replace Schedule 1 with a new Schedule 25 to the Development Plan Overlay. The changes proposed by C294 will assist in implementing the adopted Hampton Park Hill Development Plan July 2023.

Further details about Planning Scheme Amendment C294 will become available once the Minister for Planning has authorised the preparation and exhibition of the amendment.

At the Council Meeting in February 2024 an update on a possible future Buffer Area Overlay Planning Scheme Amendment was considered. The proposal includes investigation into the need to apply the overlay over existing residential development within 500 metres of the existing Hallam Road landfill for the purposes of managing potential risk of landfill gas migration.

The February 2024 council report noted that the further investigation should be deferred until the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) publishes their new guidelines on buffers for landfills.

The EPA released the new guidelines on 12 August 2024. The EPA Landfill Buffer Guideline Publication 1950, August 2024 confirms the recommended buffer area distance from sensitive uses for gas migration is 500 metres and this enables a future Council report to be prepared.

Any future council report is likely to make an assessment of the benefits and disbenefits of introducing a Buffer Area Overlay and seek direction from Council on whether to proceed with the planning scheme amendment.Information about the EPA new guidelines can be accessed via the link below. Any queries regarding the guidelines should be directed to the EPA.

New guidelines for industry separation distances and landfill buffers | Engage Victoria