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Cr Tim O’Brien: “This is what the ill-conceived BURT puts at risk.” Photo: Linda Cuttriss
By Catherine Watson
BASS Coast councillors have unanimously supported a full review of the controversial Bass Coast Unlocking Rural Tourism (BURT) strategy after a community backlash.
Moving a notice of motion at today's council meeting, Cr Tim O’Brien declared “The BURT pleases almost no-one”.
Backed by his two Island Ward colleagues, he asked that council determine whether the BURT, adopted in March 2023, undermines the objectives of the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes (DAL) declaration for Bass Coast, which is intended to preserve rural character and restrict development in sensitive areas.
Cr O’Brien said the declared intent of the BURT was essentially to unlock restrictions within the planning scheme to large-scale development in farm zone areas.
BASS Coast councillors have unanimously supported a full review of the controversial Bass Coast Unlocking Rural Tourism (BURT) strategy after a community backlash.
Moving a notice of motion at today's council meeting, Cr Tim O’Brien declared “The BURT pleases almost no-one”.
Backed by his two Island Ward colleagues, he asked that council determine whether the BURT, adopted in March 2023, undermines the objectives of the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes (DAL) declaration for Bass Coast, which is intended to preserve rural character and restrict development in sensitive areas.
Cr O’Brien said the declared intent of the BURT was essentially to unlock restrictions within the planning scheme to large-scale development in farm zone areas.
“By prioritising large-scale projects, BURT sidelines the kind of small-scale initiatives – farm stays, farmgate sales and niche enterprises – that complement the shire’s rural character.”
Cr O’Brien said the strategy encouraged land banking for development and put at risk farm land across the shire.
“Preserving the rural character of Phillip Island and the Bass Coast Region is a primary responsibility of council. It sets us apart, it defines the casual, family-friendly visitor experience, and it protects the unique and largely unspoiled environmental assets that people come here to enjoy. This is what the ill-conceived BURT puts at risk.”
Community unease
Groups including the National Farmers’ Federation, Phillip Island Conservation Society and Island Voice have all criticised the strategy, with many residents citing the protection of farmland and landscapes as their top concern in community surveys.
Cr O’Brien said the strategy encouraged land banking for development and put at risk farm land across the shire.
“Preserving the rural character of Phillip Island and the Bass Coast Region is a primary responsibility of council. It sets us apart, it defines the casual, family-friendly visitor experience, and it protects the unique and largely unspoiled environmental assets that people come here to enjoy. This is what the ill-conceived BURT puts at risk.”
Community unease
Groups including the National Farmers’ Federation, Phillip Island Conservation Society and Island Voice have all criticised the strategy, with many residents citing the protection of farmland and landscapes as their top concern in community surveys.
“The BURT pleases almost no-one."
Cr Tim O’Brien on the Bass Coast Unlocking Rural Tourism (BURT) strategy.
More than 60 residents voted overwhelmingly to reject BURT at a pre-election meeting in Cowes last year, organised by the Phillip Island Conservation Society. Long-time farmer and conservationist Anne Davie OAM moved a motion urging council to rescind the plan. It was carried with only two dissenting votes.
The strategy was intended as a land use study to attract investment in the shire’s designated rural tourism precincts. It was revised after community consultation to emphasise environmental and cultural heritage values. But critics including farmers, conservationists and community groups argue it still tilts too far towards opening farmland for big developments.
The strategy was intended as a land use study to attract investment in the shire’s designated rural tourism precincts. It was revised after community consultation to emphasise environmental and cultural heritage values. But critics including farmers, conservationists and community groups argue it still tilts too far towards opening farmland for big developments.
Just months after BURT was adopted, a developer sought a permit for a 100-guest resort with restaurant beside the sensitive Kitty Miller wetlands. The developer referred to the BURT strategy.
The application drew 168 objections, with opponents warning of damage to wildlife, light pollution, increased roadkill, wastewater risks and the loss of a quiet sanctuary.
The application drew 168 objections, with opponents warning of damage to wildlife, light pollution, increased roadkill, wastewater risks and the loss of a quiet sanctuary.
Rural tourism backlash
June 22, 2023 - Proposed “eco-tourist retreat” at Ventnor that has attracted over 140 objections is shaping up as a test of Bass Coast’s new rural tourism strategy.
June 22, 2023 - Proposed “eco-tourist retreat” at Ventnor that has attracted over 140 objections is shaping up as a test of Bass Coast’s new rural tourism strategy.
Council officers recommended refusal, citing conflicts with state and local planning policy on agriculture, settlement and environmental protection. Councillors unanimously rejected the permit, but the controversy raised broader doubts about BURT’s direction.
Linda Cuttriss, a local writer and conservationist, described BURT as a “developer’s playbook” that threatened to undo decades of community volunteer work in restoring and protecting coastal reserves.
Council response
At Wednesday's meeting, council officers noted the BURT was developed before the DAL Statement of Planning Policy was finalised. They said the forthcoming report would clarify how BURT aligns with the DAL and what further work is needed before implementation.
The review report is due back before councillors in November. For now, the strategy remains in limbo, with its future likely hinging on whether it can be reconciled with the DAL’s central goal: protecting the very qualities that make Bass Coast a destination in the first place.
As Cr O’Brien summed up: “Our community has been clear. They want to preserve the landscapes, the farmland, the coastlines and the character that make Bass Coast what it is. BURT, in its current form, fails that test.”
Linda Cuttriss, a local writer and conservationist, described BURT as a “developer’s playbook” that threatened to undo decades of community volunteer work in restoring and protecting coastal reserves.
Council response
At Wednesday's meeting, council officers noted the BURT was developed before the DAL Statement of Planning Policy was finalised. They said the forthcoming report would clarify how BURT aligns with the DAL and what further work is needed before implementation.
The review report is due back before councillors in November. For now, the strategy remains in limbo, with its future likely hinging on whether it can be reconciled with the DAL’s central goal: protecting the very qualities that make Bass Coast a destination in the first place.
As Cr O’Brien summed up: “Our community has been clear. They want to preserve the landscapes, the farmland, the coastlines and the character that make Bass Coast what it is. BURT, in its current form, fails that test.”
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I love those ‘eco’ resorts . They over charge due to one word 😂
As a ,member of the panel that recently reviewed the councils direction - it was very clear that BURT must be rescinded!
This has nothing what so ever to do with racism and if you think it has then can I suggest you need help.
The fact of the matter is this useless Labor govt have allowed over a million new citizens into this country when we already have a housing and infrastructure problem.
How are our children expected to afford a house when property values keep pushing higher due to the extreme demand?
Wake up sunshine - this has nothing to do with racism!
Cr O'Brien is right about land-banking as a response to BURT's land rezoning speculation. And now that developers can by-pass council and go straight to the minister with proposals, BURT acts as a green light for the loss of landscape sensitive rural land. The council review is urgent with Cr O'Brien's initiative vital in efforts to preserve the shire's landscape character. Planning conflict between BURT and the DAL statement must be resolved as soon as possible.
The Gurdies and surrounding Western Port Woodlands are inappropriate for large-scale or commercialised tourism.
The area is a significant wildlife corridor with important conservation values.
Roads and infrastructure are not suited to tourist traffic.
Residents chose to live here for peace, quiet, and farming – not tourism intrusion.
Ultimately, the RAZ was defeated because it was the wrong policy in the wrong place.
Now, less than a decade later, Council is seeking to introduce the Bass Coast Unlocking Rural Tourism (BURT) strategy. While it may use different language, BURT is in essence a revival of the same concept as the 2016 RAZ: opening rural and farming areas to tourism and commercial development outside of townships.
The similarities are striking:
Both RAZ and BURT seek to encourage tourism in rural zones rather than keeping it to appropriate township and coastal areas.
Both rely on vague promises of “economic growth” while ignoring the cost to farming, conservation, and community amenity.
Both risk undermining the intent of the Farming Zone, which already allows limited tourism-related uses (farm gates, wineries) without needing wholesale rezoning or new “bespoke controls.”
Both fail to adequately explain what activities would be permitted and how farmland and conservation areas would be protected.
The Distinctive Areas and Landscapes (DAL) designation over Bass Coast recognises the environmental and agricultural value of this region. BURT is inconsistent with the DAL, and should not proceed in the Western Port Ward.
As rural ratepayers, we do not want to see BURT reintroducing RAZ-style changes through the back door. We oppose any attempt to open the Western Port Ward – including The Gurdies, Kernot, Woodleigh, Grantville, Corinella, Bass and surrounds – to inappropriate rural tourism development.
I have urged Council to:
Abandon BURT as it applies to the Western Port Ward.
Focus on supporting tourism in existing township and coastal areas such as Phillip Island and Inverloch, where infrastructure is designed to cope.
Protect farmland and conservation areas for the purposes they were intended – food production, biodiversity, and community amenity.
We fought this battle in 2016 and won. We should not have to fight it again.