This thesis examines the impacts of planning controls on agriculture and rural land use in the Shire of Bass. The systems approach to planning has been used to provide a context for examining the past and emerging policy base, both explicit and implicit, for the introduction and
administration of planning controls in the Shire. The impact of land use controls on agriculture and rural land use were examined in physical, economic and social terms
using a range of information including Council records, Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census data and the results of a survey of farmers and small lot owners which
was undertaken as part of this research.