Destination: Victoria

SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE DRAFT RURAL TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Urban Enterprise, Planning, Land Economics and Tourism Consultants, were appointed to undertake a study into
tourism use and development in the rural areas of the Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires.

The study aims at reviewing the blanket application of the Farming Zone in the Shires, which has restricted certain
tourism uses in rural areas:

The study was initiated as a result of the following pressures in the Shires.

• The increasing demand for rural lifestyle properties by new “sea change” and “tree change” property owners
and their desire for additional non-agricultural income, particularly in tourism;
• Recognition of the importance of scenic values and environmental protection in coastal and rural landscapes
and the potentially complementary or conflicting role this has with tourism uses;
• The increasing value of agricultural land based on its non-agricultural use;
• The implementation of the Farming Zone in the rural areas and the restrictions this has placed on other
activities, such as tourism uses;
• The legitimate interest of the growing tourism industry in ensuring that it has a sustainable future.

The consultants have prepared a draft report and the Council is inviting public comment. This brochure provides a
summary of the strategic directions identified in the draft report together with a feedback form for interested
members of the community to complete.

The South Gippsland Shire draft Rural Tourism Development Strategy Report can be downloaded from Council’s
website at www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au and will be available to read at Council libraries and Council’s Shire
Offices at 9 Smith Street, Leongatha Vic 3953. Public comment will be received until 1st June 2009.