Greens Councillors have their say in Planning Review

Problem

Solution

There is a lack of certainty in the management of urban development, creating unnecessary conflicts between developers and residents and threatening the sustainability and liveability of our cities and towns.  

Introduce planning provisions that provide certainty, clarity and protection to land owners, communities and the environment, leading to more sustainable and liveable cities and towns.

The current planning system restricts local councils from including environmentally and socially responsible conditions in planning permits.  These conditions may relate to ecologically sustainable design, social and affordable housing requirements for medium to large developments, and green travel plans to encourage reduced car use.

Introduce changes to the planning system to provide local councils with greater flexibility to include environmentally and socially responsible conditions in planning permits.

Heritage buildings and streetscapes are under regular threat of demolition and inappropriate development, often due to delays in Ministerial approvals of heritage-related planning amendments.

Introduce planning provisions that provide genuine protection of heritage buildings and streetscapes. Ensure timely Ministerial approval of heritage-related planning amendments.

There is a disconnection between state policies and frameworks, such as Melbourne 2030, and their practical implementation at the local level. While the vision of a more sustainable and ‘contained’ Melbourne is supported, this has not eventuated, mostly due to a lack of state and local collaboration.

Introduce a ‘Vancouver model’ of state and local land use planning and collaboration. This model provides a clear distinction between both levels of government decision-making, and greater opportunities for local communities to contribute to the future planning of their cities and towns.

There are numerous examples of local councils’ decisions being undermined by ad-hoc Ministerial call-ins. Furthermore, some Ministerial processes lack the public scrutiny provided for at the local level.

Redesign the planning system to ensure that local planning is undertaken by local councils, within a state-wide framework. Require Ministerial decisions to follow the same public processes as other responsible authorities.

There is widespread community concern about increasing building heights in the urban environment and a lack of height limits in general.

Enable local councils to set height limits in consultation with their communities.

There are examples of developers using VCAT as their ‘preferred’ or ‘second strike’ planning authority, further undermining local decision-making.

Return VCAT's role to being an administrative appeals body only, not a planning authority.

There is a perception in some communities that local and state planning decisions are influenced by donations from developers to political parties.

Introduce a ban on political donations from developers.

The spread of low-density urban development is eroding horticultural and agricultural land, and destroying biodiversity.  Development occurring close to rivers and creeks has resulted in instances of pollution and degradation, increasing the threat to our vulnerable ecological systems.  Current loopholes in the planning system enable some developers to ‘moonscape’ land, removing extensive native vegetation and reducing biodiversity values.

Maintain a fixed Urban Growth Boundary and provide protection for Victoria’s horticultural and agricultural regions and remaining green wedges.  Introduce stronger planning scheme provisions and establish an independent ombudsman for the environment to ensure vulnerable ecological systems, such as native vegetation and waterways, are protected, maintained and enhanced for their biodiversity values.

Some of Melbourne’s older suburbs lack sufficient public open space and outdoor / green recreation facilities.  Furthermore, some existing public open space is threatened by development proposals.

Introduce planning provisions to ensure that public open space usable for recreation activities is provided within accessible walking distance (400m) of all dwellings in urban areas.  Introduce planning provisions to protect existing public open space.

Low-density cities and towns are expensive to service with transport, social services, utilities and public open space, and are vulnerable to oil price rises and interruptions to oil supply.  While some locations, including greenfield and brownfield sites, may be suitable for increased density and new housing developments, this can create significant pressure on existing services and transport infrastructure.

Introduce planning provisions to ensure that greenfield and brownfield land is converted to residential and other use only after social services, public transport (electrified rail, tram or bus), public utilities and open space has been factored into land development pricing, along with local/state government partnerships to ensure timely delivery of services and infrastructure.