Towong Shire Council

## Towong Shire Council Planning Department Analysis **Towong Shire operates as a small, resource-constrained rural council** with a planning department that reflects its remote location and limited development pressures. With Victoria's smallest housing target of just 550 dwellings by 2051, the council takes a **cautious, preservation-focused approach** to development applications. **Processing times can be extended** due to limited staffing resources and the need to carefully assess applications against agricultural land protection policies. Pre-application meetings are valuable given the council's strict interpretation of rural character requirements, though scheduling can take several weeks due to planner availability. **Common delays include vegetation assessments and referrals** to state authorities for developments near waterways or significant landscapes in the Upper Murray region. The department is known for **thorough but slow assessment processes**, often requiring detailed justification for any development that could impact agricultural viability. **Strategic priorities strongly favor agricultural land protection** over residential growth, making the council resistant to larger subdivisions outside designated growth areas of Tallangatta and Corryong. Applicants should expect a **conservative, risk-averse planning culture** that prioritizes maintaining rural character over development facilitation, requiring patience and comprehensive documentation to achieve approvals.