At its meeting on Tuesday 7 March 2017, Wellington Shire Council are extremely concerned that funding for 15 hours of early childhood education may be cut back to ten hours at the end of this year., during the public consultation process.

Council Officers received 26 submissions during the public exhibition period. There were 16 submissions from local residents and a community group, eight submissions from statutory authorities and two submissions from the proponent. These included a mix of support and, objections and concerns for the proposal.

The Wurruk Growth Area is identified for future residential expansion within the adopted Sale, Wurruk and Longford Structure Plan (2010). The Structure Plan promotes the creation of well designed, complete neighbourhoods that are fully integrated with the existing adjoining residential areas and local facilities in Wurruk.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Carolyn Crossley said: “As a result of the submissions that were received, Council felt that requesting the Minister for Planning to appoint a Planning Panel was a necessary step to take for this proposal.

“The submitters will be given the opportunity to be heard in an informal, non-judicial manner by an independent panel of experts in planning, architecture, urban design, engineering, environment and social planning.”

When the Planning Panel is appointed, Council will write letters of notification to all submitters inviting them to present their submission at the Panel Hearing.

Further details on Planning Panels can be found at www.planning.vic.gov.au/panels-and-committees/planning-panels-victoria.