C249morn & P20/2355 – 170 Boundary Road & 62 Collins Road, Dromana

170 Boundary Road and 62 Collins Road, Dromana, as shown in below aerial image outlined in blue. 

The properties contain about 26 hectares of vacant land which is currently zoned Low Density Residential (LDRZ). Both properties are surrounded by residential or Green Wedge land, with some industrially zoned land to the north and conservation land to the south of Boundary Road, as shown in below image outlined in blue. 

It is proposed to develop the properties for more housing because these sites are: 

• already zoned for residential use, 

• close to established housing areas, 

• near services, jobs and infrastructure in Dromana, and 

• identified in Council’s Housing and Settlement Strategy: Refresh 2020-2036 (July 2020) as an ‘investigation area’ where more housing may be suitable. 

The proposed subdivision, as shown below, would create new housing lots averaging 494m2 in size, with a minimum lot size of 450m2 and maximum of 1,525m2.

Providing more and varied housing on this land will help address local housing needs on existing urban land within the Urban Growth Boundary without detriment to Dromana’s established residential and rural areas. 

The proposal will help improve the environment by: 

• addressing substantial weed infestation that is currently threatening existing native vegetation on the properties, 

• creating a 6.99-hectare conservation reserve to protect highly valued native vegetation and habitat, 

• ensuring the new conservation reserve is properly managed with funding from the proponent under a 10-year management plan, before handing the reserve over to Council, and 

• creating a landscape reserve along the periphery of the site. 
  
  

As part of this development, the proponent will: 

• help build a footpath between the two properties and the existing Boundary Road commercial area to the west 

• contribute no less than $2 million towards providing affordable housing within the Mornington Peninsula Shire. 

You can read about proposed Amendment C249morn and Planning Permit P20/2355 in the report presented to Council on 13 July 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting.

Draft Amendment documents

• Instruction Sheet(PDF, 141KB)
• Explanatory Report(PDF, 563KB)
• Preliminary Subdivision Plan(PDF, 1MB)
• Planning Report(PDF, 10MB)
• Planning Permit - Draft(PDF, 288KB)
• Flora and Fauna Assessment(PDF, 10MB)
• Landscape Masterplan(PDF, 20MB)
• Traffic Engineering Assessment(PDF, 13MB)
• Flora and Fauna Assessment Review - 21.07.2021(PDF, 4MB)

Council has sought authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare Amendment C249morn and Planning Permit P20/2355.

• If authorised, the amendment and permit will be placed on public exhibition.
• During exhibition, anyone can view documents free of charge and lodge a submission for Council’s consideration.
• Details of exhibition and how to make a submission will be released following authorisation.
• Any written ‘submissions’ received prior to exhibition occurring are not formal and won’t count as a submission to Amendment C249morn and Planning Permit P20/2355.

State and Federal Environmental Assessment Processes

Commonwealth Environmental Approval – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

The proposed development for a residential subdivision and associated infrastructure at 170 Boundary Road and 62 Collins Road, Dromana, associated with the Planning Scheme Amendment C249morn, requires approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

The requirement for approval arises due to the potential for significant impacts on habitat for the endangered Swamp Skink (Lissolepis coventryi), a listed Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) under the EPBC Act.

On 24 February 2025, the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) determined the proposal to be a controlled action, requiring assessment and approval by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water.

On 15 April 2026, the Commonwealth Minister approved the project under the EPBC Act, subject to conditions.

A copy of the EPBC Act approval and conditions can be accessed here. 2025-10100-Approval-Decision.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

What this means for the project

The EPBC Act approval is a necessary step for the project to proceed but does not in itself authorise development.

The combined amendment and permit require separate approval under the Victorian Planning & Environment Act 1987.  The project must still proceed through the Victorian planning process, including consideration of Planning Scheme Amendment C249morn and Planning Permit Application P20/2355.

The amendment and permit are currently awaiting authorisation from the Minister for Planning to proceed to public exhibition. The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will now consider whether to authorise the Amendment for formal exhibition, having regard to the outcome of the Commonwealth approval.

Victorian Environmental Assessment – Environment Effects Act 1978 (EE Act)

The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning has confirmed that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is not required for the project in its current form, as it does not meet the referral criteria under the Ministerial Guidelines. If the project scope or impacts change, further assessment may be required.

Please note: Environmental assessments under the EPBC Act and EE Act are undertaken and determined by the Commonwealth and State Governments, respectively. These processes are not managed or decided by Council.