THE Victorian Government has made a landmark ruling that will allow landholders in the Mildura Older Irrigated Area (MOIA) to develop small blocks.

The Government stopped all housing development in the MOIA in 2009 to try and protect horticultural land being lost to residential expansion, with Amendment C89 introduced in 2016 which restricted developing MOIA lots between 0.2-2ha.

That led to a situation where landholders who had blocks too small for horticulture development were unable to utilise that land to build houses.

Planning Minister Richard Wynne on Friday wrote to Member for Mildura Ali Cupper advising her planning applications will be allowed for lots between 0.2 and 1.2ha, where the land is not suitable for horticulture, the dwelling will have no adverse impact on horticultural activity and the land is suitable for rural residential development.

 “Based on the types of homes being built, this decision has potentially opened up $100 million of development which will help stimulate the construction sector at a time when it’s needed most,” Ms Cupper said.

“But apart from the huge economic boost, this is also a win for landholders’ social and mental wellbeing.

“We know for a fact the incredible mental toll the restriction on development has placed on people, many of whom just want to be able to build their dream home. Now they can.”