Inverloch wetland dispute heads to VCAT

THE Residents and Friends of Ruttle Estate Inc group will join a VCAT hearing related to land in Inverloch they hope eventually will be fully open to the public to enjoy once again. 

This hearing will take place on January 16 and 17. 

The 22-acre wetland reserve in the Ruttle Estate was set aside as the original developers standard agreement as an ‘open-space contribution’ in return for developing housing lots in the Estate. 

This approval was given following a Victorian planning panel hearing back in 1993.

The land has a section 173 agreement on it, going back to that date, to ensure that Lot 28 in Albert Ruttle Drive is maintained as a wetland reserve as was originally intended. 

The current landholders are hoping to build a dwelling on the site and argue that the Section 173 agreement should not prevent this. 

Bass Coast Shire Council has a view that counters that position.

Council’s view, as per the report on the land, is that the building of a dwelling is not consistent with the Section 173 and other planning controls for the land. 

The Residents and Friends of Ruttle Estate (RaFoRE) group agrees with this position.

Whilst not part of the VCAT hearing, the South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) has been involved in supporting RaFoRE’s position over many years, as it was originally involved when the wetlands was first established in the ‘90’s. 

SGCS has identified the wetlands as a vital wildlife and flora corridor in Bass Coast.

The land has previously been enjoyed by Inverloch community members, walkers and bird watchers over the years. 

As the Inverloch township grows to the north-west along Ullathornes Road, open space is becoming increasingly important for the Inverloch township, and Bass Coast in general. 

An outcome that goes against council and RaFoRE’s position puts an important community and wildlife asset at risk. 

If you would like more information or to help the Residents and Friends of Ruttle Estate maintain the 22 acres of wetland reserve for the wider community, head to the website at ruttlewetlands.org.