What is the ELZ?

BEND OF ISLANDS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

The Environmental Living Zone

The Environmental Living Zone (ELZ) is a unique land use category that was set up, originally as an Interim Development Order, under the old Shire of Healesville's planning scheme in 1976. The objective of the ELZ, as stated in that planning scheme is as follows.

Management controls will be implemented to maintain and enhance the positive environmental qualities of landscape, vegetation, habitat for flora and fauna, and to protect specific sensitive areas from damage to the natural systems, consistent with the maintenance of existing occupation.

The ELZ provides for residential land use with active provision for maximum conservation of native wildlife.

The zoning requires

Permits for any clearing
Planting of indigenous species only
Restriction of exotic planting to kitchen gardens
Exclusion of horses and other grazing animals to minimise intrusion and spread of exotic weeds and damage to the soil
Conditions to building permits to ensure that buildings have minimal impact, both ecologially and visual
Permits to be obtained for fencing
Exclusion of dogs and cats to minimise predation on native fauna

The provisions of the ELZ have been preserved under the new Nillumbik Shire Council planning scheme.

History of the ELZ

Where is the ELZ?

Living in the ELZ

How Does the ELZ Work?

Box-Stringybark woodland in the ELZ;