Specialist planning advice for sustainable agriculture in rural and peri-urban regions

The Rural Planner provides expert planning services and advocacy for farmers, artisan producers, wineries and associated tourism and small business operators in rural and peri-urban regions.

Services

Planning permits in rural zones

Agribusiness — rural industries, function centres, farm cafes
Agritourism — host farms, camping, cellar doors
Pig farms and poultry farms
Dwellings, to support agricultural uses on small rural lots

Planning support for land title consolidation and boundary realignments

To support improved agricultural outcomes and/or succession planning

Policy and research – planning to support peri-urban agriculture

Workshops and consultations, providing advice on policy reform and food systems planning

Our work

Featured

Tambo Farm - at the edge of the Macedon Ranges

Collaborating to achieve business growth and control costs

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Syrahmi — artisan wine, made with nature

An innovative producer, discretionary decisions and the planning process

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Peri-urban agriculture — key to future food security

Mapping food-positive planning systems for Australian cities

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Living with flood and fire risks, and threatened species

Understanding the regulatory environment, for a home to support the family farm on the Goulburn River

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More stories

“We couldn’t recommend Linda more highly. Without her expertise and knowledge, we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today operating our winery with a producer’s license here in Tooborac. Councils have an unspoken language which we found extremely difficult to decipher but Linda has the experience and understanding of exactly what Councils want, and how to present it, to gain the best possible result.”

Adam and Pip Foster, Syrahmi
“I'm currently building my family home in Trawool, Victoria. This property was a tricky project from a planning perspective due to the proximity to the Goulburn River and other significant overlays. If not for the brilliant work from our planner Linda Martin-Chew, we would not have achieved our desired outcome. Linda’s knowledge of the planning requirements and the thinking behind them was the key.”

Alan Richardson, General Manager – AFL Football Performance, Melbourne Football Club
"Working with Linda probably saved the project, as I was overseas a lot and had to place plenty of trust in her ability to problem solve and to represent me in negotiating the process with Council. On my return, it was simply the best solution to let Linda continue to lead the process where, on more than one occasion, she saved me valuable time and money. Linda is my ‘go-to’ for any further planning developments on my property."

Stuart Jordan, Proprietor, Serenity of Heathcote, Victoria
“Peri-urban agriculture often involves small-scale proposals which cannot support the expensive reports and plans that regulators see with urban applications. Knowing Councils’ likely assessment requirements, and being prepared to support clients in keeping costs low, is an important part of my work.”

Linda Martin-Chew