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.
Guest Speaker Zaki Harba- presented an update on the Plans for the Wonthaggi Lifesaving Club infrastructure. His talk is available on the link below.John Coulter was confirmed as a Life Member for work leading the community in preserving the character of our village.
Parents' Group
AGM - Lifetime membership for John Coulter; Celebration of the return of the boundary to Seward. Cycling club
Go to the News Page for an archive of past editions of Cape Conversations.
Our next Working Bee will be
Our usual Clean Up Australia event for March 1st has been cancelled due to our outstanding successes in past years. Ever wanted to find out about our iconic rock pool at the Bay Beach? As an alternative working bee activity we are hosting an educational working bee. We'll be doing a 45 minute tidy up of the boat ramp planting at the end of Hut View Road. We'll proceed down to the rock pool (as far as we know, the only one made and expanded by human power on the Victorian coast) with an explanatory talk and then go on to the Wonthaggi Life Saving Cub BBQ area for an early lunch.
Meet at the Alan Birt Reserve BBQ area at 10am.
Please wear clothing appropriate to the weather. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Bass Coast Council will provide and tools needed and we can provide gloves. A light BBQ lunch will be provided at Alan Birt reserve afterwards.
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.
