Apollo Bay Structure Plan Review

Council is committed to supporting Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek’s future by creating sustainable communities, through the development of a vision and strategic direction for each town.

In 2007 Council adopted the current Apollo Bay Structure Plan. This Plan is a critical planning document that outlines the long-term development framework for the townships of Apollo Bay and Marengo and their surrounding areas. It considered the outcomes of a 2002 Neighbourhood Character Study and was the basis for a planning scheme amendment that introduced new planning controls across the townships.

The current Structure Plan is approaching 20 years old and needs review to better align with current State and regional planning policy, and meet community need. With this review it is proposed to include Skenes Creek as part of the project.

The Structure Plan will consider all land within each town boundary, and include discussion of how the towns can accommodate sustainable change.

Purpose

There is a need to review Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek to understand their long-term land use requirements, to support the future growth and development of the towns over a 15-20-year horizon. A Structure Plan for these towns will help position the towns to capitalise on future development opportunities and provide clear direction on sustainable change. It will direct and promote residential growth, protect the surrounding environs, and plan for the growth of commercial and tourism opportunities.

The Structure Plan will set a vision, strategies, and a clear action plan, to implement a land use framework that will provide the towns with the strategic direction they require to facilitate appropriate growth and support a thriving community.

Study Area

The Study Area for the project is focused on the Apollo Bay, Skenes Creek and Marengo townships as shown in Figure 1. It will include all public land including road reserves, crown land, creeks and recreational areas within and surrounding the town.

Role of Structure Plans

A structure plan is a strategic planning document that aims to give effect to the policies and objectives set out for the use and development of land in the State Planning Policy Framework. It also seeks to provide effectively for changing community needs and aspirations. Structure plans provide the framework for the long-term development of a place by defining the preferred direction of future growth and by articulating how change will be managed.

Structure plans guide major changes to land use, built form, access and movement networks, and public spaces that together can achieve environmental, social and economic outcomes for a place.

A structure plan also provides the framework for statutory planning controls that can be implemented through the Colac Otway Planning Scheme.

Objectives for the Apollo Bay Structure Plan Review

The main objectives and deliverables of the project are to:

To review and update the vision and strategic directions for the Apolo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek that more readily apply to the current context and planning challenges.
To assess and provide strategic actions to address acute shortages in the housing market and lack of affordable housing.
To review current planning controls in the context of constraints that limit the expansion of the township boundary to facilitate future housing supply and encourage infill development that enhances the character of the township, including updated assessments of township character.
To assess development options in the context of mitigating the risk of bushfire, acknowledging changes to the mapping of the Bushire Mapping Overlay since the 2007 Structure Plan.
Provide direction for commercial development.

Have Your Say!

We need your feedback and ideas to help inform the development of the Draft Structure Plan.

Have you say in one of the following ways:

Speak to the project team at the community drop in session

When: Saturday 25 July 2026, 9.30am - 12pm

Where: Apollo Bay Bowls Club, 6 Moore Street Apollo Bay
Complete a short survey - details coming soon!
Write a submission or email Council inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au

Community Vision Survey

Survey link coming soon! This will be a short survey about the direction of Apollo Bay, Marengo and Skenes Creek.

Timeline

Issues and opportunities for the Structure Plan project are currently being considered, and Council is seeking community feedback on the vision and direction for the towns.

Upon completion of this community engagement in August, we will commence drafting the Apollo Bay Structure Plan. It is expected that a draft will be available for community feedback in October 2026.

Finalisation of the Structure Plan is expected at the end of the year.

Community Reference Group

Council appointed 9 members of the community to the Community Reference Group at its meeting of the 9^th December 2025. The CRG will meet regularly at key project milestones, and will provide Council’s project team with information and perspectives to inform the project outcomes.