Without consultation and ignoring reports they commissioned themselves, the State Government extended Cape Paterson’s Northern Boundary.
This means the area north of Seaward Drive is open to MASSIVE overdevelopment. Currently there is a proposal for the addition of over 900 new houses, more than doubling the current size of Cape Paterson. It’s just too much.
FIND OUT THE LATEST, AND HOW YOU CAN HELPUPDATE: October 2025
NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT The Cape Paterson Northern boundary is finalised. At last! The Statement of Planning Policy for the Bass Coast Distinctive Areas and Landscape was published in the Victorian Government Gazette on Tuesday 14th October. That means it is now legally enforceable for all future planning applications. You can visit the Engage Victoria website for a brief update, or you can download the Special Government Gazette S563 14th October https://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette_bin/recent_gazettes.cfm?bct=home|recentgazettesThe Cape Paterson northern boundary is now at Seaward Drive, and is a Protected Settlement Boundary. Under the DAL legislation this means that it cannot be changed at the whim of a future Planning Minister (as it was in 2011). Any change will need the approval of both houses of State Parliament. This has been a long journey for the CPRRA, going back to 2009. Committee members and residents have attended many Council meetings, lobbied State Members, Planning Ministers and written hundreds of submissions along with making presentations at Planning Panels and Committee hearings. The “Save Cape Paterson” placards on so many fences also helped, especially when the Planning Minister came to visit last year. We’ll provide any updates (and perhaps have a little celebration) at the AGM in January.Meanwhile, enjoy the good news.
When the Surf Coast (Torquay region) DAL SPP was declared (where a previous Planning Minister had also changed a boundary against panel advice), the developers sought to have the decision set aside in the Supreme Court. They lost and had costs awarded against them.Stay tuned for further updates.
Bass Coast Council is seeking submissions on its removal of dust suppressant from Cassia St ( as well as others outside of Cape Paterson). form more details see: https://engage.basscoast.vic.gov.au/dust-suppressant-seal-removal
Parents' Group
AGM - Lifetime membership for John Coulter; Celebration of the return of the boundary to Seaward Drive. Cycling club
Go to the News Page for an archive of past editions of Cape Conversations.
Our next Working Bee will be
This month we're relocating from Cape Paterson to Mouth of the Powlett River, Kilcunda. We will be assisting our friends from the Gippsland Threatened Species Network who are removing sea spurge from a critical Hooded Plover west of the river mouth.
The working bee officially starts at 9:30am at the Teatree car park, which is west of the river mouth (i.e. before you cross the bridge over the Powlett River). In order to car share, we will leave from the Wonthaggi Life Saving Club car park at 9:00am.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast but current predictions are for cool and wet weather. Please dress appropriately to the conditions. Closed shoes are recommended. Tools required will be hand trowels, gloves and spades. CPRRA can provide some of those if needed. Refreshments after the working bee will be provided by the hosting organisation. Please register your attendance in advance at the following website: https://events.humanitix.com/sea-spurge-removal-day-at-kilcunda-powlett- river
Hot winds cease and temperatures cool. Iuk (eels) are fat and ready to harvest.
Binap (Manna Gum) is flowering.
Days and nights are of equal length.
Lo-An Tuka, the Hunter, is the star Canopus, seen almost due south at sunset.
'We used to set a fishing line at night time, mostly in the lagoons. We got eels out of that… they'd go down to where Badger Creek runs into the Yarra. If eels were running that plentiful they'd make a net and put that in.' Martha Nevin, 1969.
