East Gippsland Shire Council

Manages growth with targeted density in key areasAssesses subdivision on merit

Housing Strategy

East Gippsland adopted its Housing and Settlement Strategy to guide 8,250 new dwellings through subdivision and development by 2041 (local target). State target is 11,000 by 2051. Strategy emphasises responsible growth, affordability and environmental stewardship. Population projected to reach 63,800 by 2041. Supports infill and discourages greenfield reliance. [Sources: East Gippsland Housing and Settlement Strategy; Plan for Victoria Feb 2025]

2051 Housing Target

11,000

Source: Plan for Victoria (February 2025)

Data Confidence

high

Growth Areas

BairnsdaleLakes EntrancePaynesvilleOrbostMallacoota

Minimal Change Areas

Coastal areasNational park surroundsBushfire risk areas

Planning Overview

**East Gippsland Shire Council** operates as a **measured, environmentally-conscious** planning authority that carefully balances growth aspirations with significant environmental constraints. The council demonstrates a **"manage growth" philosophy**, being neither overly developer-friendly nor obstructionist, but requiring thorough justification for developments outside their designated growth areas. **Processing times** tend to be **moderate to slow**, particularly for applications requiring bushfire assessments or coastal considerations. Pre-application meetings are strongly encouraged and generally productive, though formal applications often face **6-8 week delays** due to the council's limited planning resources and complex referral requirements. **Common bottlenecks** include **bushfire reporting**, vegetation assessments, and referrals to agencies like Melbourne Water and DELWP. The department is notably **under-resourced** for a shire covering such vast geography, leading to workload pressures and conservative decision-making. The council **strongly supports infill development** in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance while being **highly protective** of coastal character areas and bushfire-prone locations. Applications demonstrating environmental stewardship and affordability outcomes align well with their strategic priorities. Expect **thorough scrutiny** of any proposals in minimal change areas, but reasonable support for well-designed infill projects in designated growth centres.