At the Council Meeting on 16 June, 2025 Council resolved to seek the authorisation of the Minister for Planning to prepare Amendment C282.

The Minister for Planning granted authorisation to prepare Amendment C282 on 30 October, 2025.

Amendment C282 is on exhibition from 29 January 2026 to 5 March 2026.

Cardinia Shire Council Privacy Statement

Personal information collected by Council, its external service providers or contractors, is used for municipal purposes as specified in the Local Government Act 2020. The personal information will be held securely and used solely by Council for these purposes and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to other organisations if required or permitted by legislation, and who are bound by substantially similar obligations. The applicant understands that the personal information provided is for the above purpose and that they may apply to Council for access to and/or amendment of the information. Requests for access and/or correction should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au.

Submissions are invited

Any person who may be affected by an amendment may make a submission.

It is important to note that submissions to planning scheme amendments are public documents under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Before making a submission, ensure you read our Privacy Collection Notice.

Submissions must be made in writing.

You may make a submission in one of the following ways:

• Attach your submission in an email to mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
  (Subject: Amendment C282)
  
• Mail your submission to:

Planning and Design
Cardinia Shire Council
PO Box 7
PAKENHAM VIC 3810

• Hand deliver to Customer Service at
  Council Office, 20 Siding Avenue, Officer.
  (View our location in Google Maps).

At close of exhibition a report goes to Council. Council considers the amendment and all submissions received. If concerns cannot be resolved, Council refers the submissions to an independent Planning Panel for consideration.

The Planning Panel is appointed by the Minister for Planning. All submitters can be heard at the public hearing. The Planning Panel then provides a report with recommendations to the Minister for Planning and Council.

We confirm dates and details of Planning Panel Hearings to those who make a submission.

A face-to-face drop-in session is being held. Anyone is welcome to attend any time between the hours stated below:

Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Venue: Cardinia Shire Council, Council Chambers
20 Siding Avenue, Officer Vic 3809
(View our location in Google Maps)

The combined amendment and planning permit application proposes to amend the Schedule to the Heritage Overlay (HO) to consider prohibited uses for HO104 and concurrently consider a planning permit application for land at Cotswold Crescent, Officer to facilitate a mixed-use development.

Specifically, the proposed amendment seeks to:

• Amend the Schedule to the HO to allow prohibited uses to be considered for HO104 (James Hicks Pty Ltd Pottery) by amending the ‘prohibited uses permitted?’ column to state ‘Yes’.

• Use of the land for office and food and drink premises;
• Buildings and works associated with the above uses, being development of the land with an office building, café, restaurant/wine bar and associated car parking;
• Construction and display of signage associated with the development;
• Reduction in the number of car parking spaces required;
• Creation of access to the Princes Highway (TRZ2).

The amendment is required to facilitate a mixed-use development that includes an ‘Office’ use (a prohibited use in the GRZ) and the restoration and re-adaptive use of a remnant kiln and chimney structure which attributes to the significance of the heritage place at Cotswold Crescent, Officer.

Pursuant to Clause 43.01-9 (Use of a heritage place), a permit may be granted to use a heritage place for a use which would otherwise be prohibited if all of the following apply:

• The schedule to this overlay specifies the heritage place as one where prohibited uses may be permitted.
• The use will not adversely affect the significance of the heritage place.
• The benefits obtained from the use can be demonstrably applied towards the conservation of the heritage place.

Prohibited uses are not currently permitted to be considered at the heritage place. The amendment component to this proposal seeks to change this with the concurrent planning permit seeking to facilitate the mixed-use development, including the prohibited Office use.

The proposed Office use will not adversely affect the significance of the heritage place, and a planning permit application has been prepared and lodged concurrently with this amendment to demonstrate how the proposed mixed-use development and the proposed office use will aid in the conservation of the heritage place. The office component of the use and development proposed under the permit application presents the most reasonable and compatible use of the site in comparison with other permitted uses, and the most economically viable with the capacity to contribute to the ongoing preservation of the heritage components on the site.

When the Officer Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) was developed, heritage sites were not addressed in significant detail, with these matters deferred to a later stage (planning permits) to establish a suitable transition for heritage sites.

The Officer PSP provides limited guidance on the future use of the subject site. A kiln, as a heritage component, does not have an adaptable use; instead, it requires ongoing maintenance and preservation. Although a planning permit for a restaurant has been issued for the site in the past, this use is not viable for the maintenance of the kiln or for constructing a structure over it.

The construction of a structure over the kiln is essential as such a structure would protect the kiln’s heritage elements. Without it, the kiln is at risk of deteriorating due to weather exposure, which could lead to its collapse.

The proposed development will provide the following benefits to the community:

• The development will serve as a buffer between the Princes Highway and residential areas, with the office building to mitigate noise from the highway.
• It will create opportunities for local employment.
• The development will promote nighttime activation of the space and enhance surveillance.
• It will contribute to the preservation of the heritage site and the Shire’s history.

The proposal does not negatively affect the availability of employment land designated in the Officer PSP. The office development includes approximately 540sqm of allocated floor space for office use. With the implementation of Plan for Victoria 2025, it is anticipated that Cardinia will see an increase in population, which will create a greater demand for employment land. The mixed-use development will contribute positively to the local economy. Furthermore, there are comparable office developments along the Princes Highway, making this proposal consistent with the existing character of the road interface.