Property Report
Comprehensive multi-dimensional analysis
3/29 Steele Street
Zoning & Regional Plan
GRZ1
General Residential Zone
LEP: Baw Baw Shire Planning Scheme
Height Limit
11 metres or 3 storeys
Min Lot Size
500m²
✅ Permitted Uses
❌ Prohibited Uses
Schools
Cowes is a small coastal town on Phillip Island with limited local schooling options. Cowes Primary School serves the primary cohort, while families typically transition to Phillip Island Secondary College. St Paul's Primary provides a nearby Catholic alternative. For secondary education, Phillip Island Secondary College is the main public option.
Likely public catchment
Properties in Cowes are typically zoned for Cowes Primary School (primary) and Phillip Island Secondary College (secondary); verify with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) or Department of Education.
Nearby schools
Cowes Primary School
In catchmentPhillip Island Secondary College
In catchmentSt Paul's Primary School, Phillip Island
Newhaven Primary School
Bass Coast Secondary College
Catchment information is indicative only. Always verify with the relevant state education department before making enrolment decisions.
Traffic & Congestion
Cowes is a small coastal township on Phillip Island with generally light traffic conditions. The property is centrally located near Steele Street, experiencing minimal congestion typical of regional Victoria.
Nearby Major Roads
Peak Hour Impact
Minimal peak-hour impact. Light increases during summer holidays and weekends when holiday-makers visit Phillip Island, particularly around coastal attractions and beaches.
Public Transport
Limited public transport. Nearest coach services operate from Cowes town center (approximately 1km). Regular V/Line bus services connect to Gippsland regional areas but frequency is modest.
Public Transport
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Flood Risk
Cowes on Phillip Island is subject to tidal and storm surge flooding risk due to its coastal location and low-lying topography. The Land Subject to Inundation Overlay (LSIO) applies to flood-prone areas, requiring elevated building design and strict development controls. Historical storm surge and king tide events have affected the township, making flood-aware design essential for new construction.
Planning Controls
- •Compliance with LSIO requirements; floor levels must be set above the 1% AEP flood level
- •Development must not impede flood flows or increase flood risk to other properties
- •Mandatory flood risk assessment and engineering sign-off for buildings and fill in overlay areas
- •Restrictions on basement construction and underground parking in high-risk zones
Bushfire Risk
BAL Rating
BAL-12.5
Cowes on Phillip Island carries moderate bushfire risk typical of coastal fringe-rural Victoria. The property is likely subject to the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) and may fall within a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA), with BAL-12.5 the typical rating. Proximity to the coast and maritime conditions provide some mitigation, but scattered native vegetation and grassland warrant standard bushfire-resistant construction and defensible space measures.
Crime & Safety
Cowes on Phillip Island experiences crime rates generally below Victorian state averages, typical of regional coastal communities. Theft-related offences are the most prevalent category, reflecting patterns common in tourist-dependent areas. The suburb maintains relatively stable crime conditions with strong community policing presence.
Total Incidents
3,200
Estimated annual (2024-2025)
vs State
Below Average
Trend
➡️ stable
Crime Categories
Future Development
Cowes is a small coastal township on Phillip Island with modest development activity focused on tourism support, holiday accommodation, and localised residential infill rather than major urban renewal. Development pressure centres on maintaining services for seasonal tourism demand and selective residential intensification in accessible locations near the foreshore and town centre. Infrastructure investment is primarily coastal management and public realm upgrades rather than major commercial or residential projects.
Cowes Foreshore Reserve Upgrade
0.5 kmPublic realm and waterfront amenity improvements to Cowes' primary beachfront precinct.
Phillip Island Mixed-Use Development
2 kmSmall-scale retail, hospitality and residential infill near Cowes town centre to support tourism and local services.
Recent Residential Infill - Church Street Precinct
1.2 kmMulti-lot residential subdivision converting underutilised land parcels in established Cowes residential areas.
Holiday Rental Accommodation DA
0.8 kmShort-stay holiday rental development responding to Phillip Island tourism demand near Cowes town centre.
Coastal Asset Management Works
1.5 kmBayside foreshore stabilisation and access pathway improvements addressing coastal resilience.
Heritage & Conservation
Cowes is a historic coastal township on Phillip Island with a well-preserved character precinct centred on the foreshore and main commercial strip. The area contains numerous late 19th and early 20th-century buildings reflecting its development as a seaside resort and fishing port, with local heritage overlays protecting key streetscapes and landmarks. Properties within the heritage conservation area are subject to design review for external works.
⚠️ Restrictions
- •External alterations require council approval
- •Demolition of heritage structures prohibited without permit
- •Additions must be sympathetic to original architectural character
- •Fencing and landscaping changes subject to heritage guidelines
Nearby Heritage Items