The document responds to questions from a residents' group about state and local planning policies in Victoria, noting the comprehensive frameworks in place and encouraging community involvement in development plans. It also lists actions taken by the state government to manage growth, including expanding the urban growth boundary, streamlining processes, and establishing working groups to modernize planning laws.

1. 20 October 2010
Via email
Mr John Shrives & Ms Marion Quarttly
Brandon Park Residents Action Group
Notting Hill Community Association Inc
I write in response to your questions from your letter dated 29 September 2010.
Q1. & Q2., Melbourne 2030 and Melbourne@5 million is the Victorian governments
framework to protect our liveability now and for the future
http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/plansandpolicies outlines the State Government’s policy
statements. These are quite comprehensive and I invite you to read through these.
Q3. Local residents.
Q4. Land use and development plans and proposals can generate a range of views within a
community which in turn reflects the different and sometimes competing interests or
aspirations of persons and organisations.
Third party involvement in the Victorian planning system is recognised as an important
component of a fair and equitable system. In Victoria, the Planning and environment Act 1987
provides for third party involvement when a council / planning authority is considering
amending its planning scheme and when a council/ responsible authority gives notice of a
planning permit application.
Community engagement and the mediation of conflict or disputes are important parts of both
these land use and development assessment processes and are facilitated through a variety
of approaches including, public notices, submissions, forums and review hearings. Before
making a formal decision a council will engage with its community. In the case of an
amendment to the planning scheme any unresolved submissions are referred to an
independent Panel to hear from submitters, review their submissions, and provide advice to
council and the Minister for Planning about the merits of the proposed amendment. For
unresolved objections to a planning permit applications objectors can appeal to the Victorian
Civil and administrative tribunal to have a planning decision independently reviewed and
determined.
Although these independent review processes provide the community assurance that their
views are considered in planning decisions, it is always highly recommended that the
community is fully involved with their local strategies and plans are being developed. Both the
State Government and local councils welcome and encourage input from the community in
the development of long term planning of an area to support and facilitate sustainable
development and enhance the liveability of our state.

2. Achievements - Planning
Labor has delivered a comprehensive and sustainable response to population growth through
Melbourne @ 5 Million which builds on Melbourne 2030 and integrates with the Victorian
Transport Plan.
Labor is investing in the revitalisation of major urban centres in Geelong and Melbourne’s
Central Activities Districts of Dandenong, Broadmeadows, Frankston, Ringwood, Footscray
and Box Hill. We have also completed preliminary analysis to underpin planning for
Employment Corridors. The 2010 State Budget included $10.4 million over four years for
Central Activities Districts and Employment Corridors.
Labor has delivered a new Activity Centre Zone and applied it in Doncaster Hill. We are
supporting councils to improve activity centres through the Creating Better Places and Expert
Assistance Programs. The 2010 State Budget includes $8.3 million over four years to
accelerate development in activity centres and ‘infill’ sites within Melbourne.
Labor is actively planning for future housing needs. We have commenced work with
metropolitan councils to develop Housing Capacity Assessments to comprehensively
evaluate opportunities for new housing. We have provided $1.3 million in grants to
metropolitan councils to support them in this process.
The Urban Growth Boundary has been expanded to incorporate 24,500 hectares of
developable land which is enough to create 134,000 new homes. This was fundamental to
maintaining housing affordability.
Labor is taking the responsible action of releasing more land for housing alongside a clear
plan to fund the basic services and infrastructure for people who move into these areas.
Infrastructure in growth areas, particularly public transport, will benefit from a dedicated
funding source in the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution.
Labor has made it easier and reduced costs for business and developers by streamlining the
planning system and reducing red-tape. A new Urban Growth Zone has introduced a more
strategic and enabling approach to planning in the growth areas.
The State Government is continuing to develop the SPEAR online planning permit approvals
system and roll it out to planning stakeholders.
Labor has established a Development Facilitation Unit to provide assistance with significant
planning projects.
Labor is refocusing the role of VicUrban to play a more proactive role in providing housing in
Melbourne’s established areas.

3. Modernising Victoria’s Planning Act
 Since the Premier announced a review of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 in
the 2008 Annual Statement of Government Intentions, the Government has been
undertaking a thorough process of consultation with key stakeholders to develop a
package of reforms to the Act.
 The Act has served Victoria well for over 20 years. Our consultation has shown that
there is broad agreement amongst stakeholders that the basic objectives, structure
and processes of the Act are sound, but it does need some fine tuning. The review
has been a good opportunity to reassess the Act and identify the changes that will
best modernise planning processes and simplify the current laws to meet Victoria’s
future planning needs.
 This Government is committed to the continuous improvement of Victoria’s planning
system, to continue to enhance the liveability and competitiveness of our State.
 The reform proposals being developed focus on ensuring that planning decisions
balance environmental, social and economic considerations and on making planning
processes more efficient, which will facilitate investment and job creation for the
State.
 Public consultation has been undertaken on draft legislation for the proposed reforms
to the Act. Many useful submissions were received.
 Work has been continuing on the review and the finalisation of the reform proposals.
 An independent Working Group has been established to provide the Minister for
Planning with a recommended way to implement the objectives of key reform
proposals. These proposals are:
1. enabling the Minister to authorise a person to undertake certain initial steps in
the planning scheme amendment process;
2. introducing a new ‘fast track’ planning permit process for low impact
proposals; and
3. introducing a new assessment process for State significant development.
 The Working Group will include representatives from local government, development
industry and peak planning bodies.
 The Working Group will provide its report of recommendations to the Minister for
Planning after it has considered the views of stakeholders as expressed in
submissions to the draft Bill and reached consensus on the most appropriate way
forward with these proposals.
 The Working Group is expected to make its recommendations by the end of 2010.
 The final Bill will be introduced into Parliament at the appropriate time after this work
is complete.
I have also attached the links to State Government policy documents on relevant topics.
Yours sincerely,
Hong Lim MP
Member for Clayton