At its Council meeting on Tuesday 16 August 2016, Wellington Shire Council resolved to commence the statutory process to compulsorily acquire vacant land in the ‘between settlements area’ south-west of the township of Golden Beach.

Over the next few days, council officers will be in the areas of Golden, Flamingo and Glomar Beaches placing ‘Notices of Intention to Acquire’ on 420 blocks of land where Council has been unable to contact the owner despite an extensive process of engagement, diligent enquiries and detailed searches to locate them since 2011. A public notice will also appear in the Herald Sun newspaper on 18 January 2017.

Wellington Shire Council General Manager Development, John Websdale, said: “A significant amount of work has been undertaken since 2011 on the Ninety Mile Beach Plan to progress and resolve a long-running issue and protect the iconic and environmentally sensitive coastline along Ninety Mile Beach from inappropriate development.

“Upon completion of the compulsory acquisition process, around 80% of the land in this area will be publicly owned.

“This will also benefit the general community as Council will be able to plan public land management strategies into the future with relevant agencies and government departments.”

Council has no plans to compulsorily acquire land from owners who have already registered with us in writing indicating that they do not wish to transfer their land to Council. Council will continue to attempt to engage with owners who appear to have a valid contact address in our records but who have yet to reply to the voluntary assistance scheme.

In accordance with legislative requirements, no sooner than two months after the Notices of Intention to Acquire have been on display, Council will proceed with replacing those notices with Notices of Acquisition. Council has six months to complete the acquisition of land process.