An amendment to the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme to rezone La Trobe University land at 2 Osborne Street, Flora Hill from public use to residential growth zone has been prepared by the Minister for Planning.
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The 7.3-hectare site, once home to the former Bendigo Teachers College, includes a mudbrick residence, Eumana.
The amendment was prepared at the request of La Trobe University, who intend to sell the site as it is no longer required for university use.
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A declaration form submitted to the Government Land Planning Service said La Trobe University decommissioned its Osborne Street campus in 2014, with the remaining student accommodation and catering relocated to the Flora Hill campus.
"The land is not required by La Trobe University for educational purposes, which was confirmed by the La Trobe University Bendigo Flora Hill campus master plan, which provided a blueprint for the campus over a 15+ year time horizon," the declaration said.
The site does not include the adjacent athletics complex, which is council-owned and is being rezoned to a public recreation zone, as part of a separate planning scheme amendment.
Heritage overlay will be applied to the Eumana house and two nearby oak trees, which have been deemed to be of heritage significance.
City of Greater Bendigo director strategy and growth Bernie O'Sullivan said the proposed amendment was being managed through the state government's land planning scheme service.
"The City is not the decision maker for the proposal, but we will provide a submission," Mr O'Sullivan said.
"We have been consulted during the preparation of the amendment and we have asked for certain planning controls to be incorporated, including applying the heritage overlay."
Council identified the Osborne Street site as key residential development site in the Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy and Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy.
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The housing strategy, adopted in 2016 and amended in 2018, identified the site as providing an opportunity for housing in the short-term, with its accessibility, nearby infrastructure and single ownership advantageous.
The amendment, C255gben, has been referred to an independent advisory committee for consideration.
The committee will consider all submissions made and provide recommendations on the suitability of the proposed planning scheme change.
Submissions to the advisory committee can be made at engage.vic.gov.au/glsac/t28, with the amendment on public exhibition until November 20.
