The Victorian Labor Government has delivered protections for the Bass Coast region through its declaration as a Distinctive Area and Landscape and the endorsement of the Statement of Planning Policy in October 2025. This policy locks in protections for the Bass Coast, including the Western Port Woodlands, which were identified as environmentally significant in the SPP.

To everyone writing to me calling on the State to approve the ESO: I agree with you. I want it approved too. I will continue to advocate for Council to submit the required material to the Department of Transport and Planning so the Interim ESO can progress as soon as possible.

BACKGROUND

The State has not rejected the interim ESO.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) sought further information from Bass Coast Shire Council to enable a proper assessment of the application.

It is very disappointing that after taking almost a year to formally lodge its application for an interim ESO, Council did not initially provide the fundamental information required for DTP to properly assess it.

DTP has since outlined the information it requires, including:

• ecological studies, investigations and technical evidence identifying the biodiversity values the ESO is intended to protect;
• methodology, mapping, spatial data and technical reports supporting the area proposed to be covered;
• evidence demonstrating the relationship between biodiversity values and the land proposed for protection;
• details and timeframes for strategic, ecological and planning work informing permanent controls; and
• evidence of stakeholder engagement and consultation.

These are not peripheral details. They are the fundamental pieces of evidence needed to support the planning controls being sought.

Through the DAL process and the SPP, the Victorian Government has established the strategic framework for protecting the Western Port Woodlands. The SPP itself identifies the need for further ecological assessment and strategic work to inform future planning protections.

Council pointing back to the SPP in their first application for an interim ESO is not enough. 

The Save Western Port Woodlands Group and broader Woodlands alliance have accumulated considerable knowledge, research, ecological information and community expertise. That expertise should be drawn upon. The Woodlands Group, researchers and other stakeholders may hold studies, ecological assessments, mapping, datasets and historical information that could assist Council in responding to DTP’s requests and strengthen the application.

Council should be working constructively with the Woodlands groups, environmental experts, Traditional Owners and other stakeholders to ensure every available resource is brought together in support of the application.

I encourage those advocating so strongly for the State to approve the interim ESO to turn their advocacy to Council and seek clarity about the studies, technical assessments and mapping undertaken to support and define the area proposed to be covered by the ESO.

Responsibility for preparing and substantiating the interim ESO application rests with Council. As the planning authority seeking these controls, Council is responsible for demonstrating that they are supported by the evidence required through the planning process.

Council has stated that it provided DTP with a comprehensive response on 24 September, including information relating to biodiversity values, mapping methodologies, strategic planning work and stakeholder engagement. 

This is welcome. DTP is now assessing whether that material addresses the matters it identified and enables the application to progress.

Key dates

• Bass Coast Shire Council endorsed the final draft Bass Coast Statement of Planning Policy in July 2025, including support for further environmental assessment of the Western Port Woodlands and an interim ESO while that work was undertaken.
• The Victorian Government endorsed the Statement of Planning Policy in October 2025.
• Council formally lodged its request for an interim ESO on 12 June 2026.
• On 14 September 2026, DTP wrote to Council seeking further information to assess the proposed interim controls and their strategic basis.
• On 24 September 2026, Council announced it had provided additional information relating to biodiversity values, mapping methodologies, strategic planning work and stakeholder engagement.