Council officers recommended councillors adopt the planning scheme amendment and the altered Corangamite Heritage Study. The overlay covers 76 individual properties and 10 township precincts.

Councillors Neil Trotter, Wayne Oakes and Geoff Smith raised concerns over costs that would be imposed on property owners.

Councillor Neil Trotter proposed an amendment to the motion that would exclude “old wooden buildings” at Timboon P-12 School and the home and property Mount Mytoon. 

But because he had seconded the original motion, he was unable to move the amended motion and it was left to Cr Geoff Smith. The amendment received majority support four votes to two. 

Councillors Jo Beard and Peter Harkin voted against the alteration, preferring the original version. Cr Ruth Gstrein was an apology.

Mount Mytoon owner Marie Thornton made a deputation to councillors at the start of the meeting and was highly critical of the planning process. 

“I don’t think you’ve listened at all. It doesn’t seem there are votes 12 kilometres out of town,” she said. 

“The documents still contain errors that I have pointed out four times. The house was not designed by W.P Knights and the panel agreed with me. The section has not been re-written to reflect what the panel has said.”

Cr Trotter said while it was undeniable there was a need to protect heritage, he had “grave concerns” about the overlay.

“We talk about this having a net community benefit, but who pays?” he said. 

“The cost will come back onto people who own the property.

“If the state wants to protect heritage, they should shoulder some of the costs.”