Shire responds to rising sea levels

Mornington Peninsula Shire is proposing changes to its planning scheme to protect township character and respond to climate change impacts from sea level rise around Western Port.

Planning Scheme Amendments C271morn and C282morn aim to ensure new developments in coastal areas respond to erosion and inundation hazards from predicted sea level rise, and that new development in commercial and industrial areas respects the height, scale and design of existing buildings.

These changes, which affect land in Hastings, Tyabb, Bittern, Crib Point, Balnarring, Balnarring Beach, Flinders, Red Hill, Red Hill South, Somers, Merricks, Merricks Beach, Point Leo and Shoreham, will help the shire deliver on its commitments to foster wellplanned townships and protect the community from climate change impacts.

You can have your say online at www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/c271-c282, where you can register for an online information session on Wednesday, April 6, from 10am-noon. You can also pick up hard copy submission forms from any shire customer service centre. Community consultation closes at 5pm on April 22.

Mayor Anthony Marsh said: "We want to help safeguard our community by ensuring future developments are designed to withstand the environment and conditions they are built in, while maintaining township character.”

MORNINGTON PENINSULA SHIRE A: 2 Queen St, Mornington A: 90 Besgrove St, Rosebud A: 21 Marine Pde, Hastings A: 1085 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Somerville T: 5950 1000 W: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Home