The Minister for Planning has finally released the Committee’s report on the State Planning Review as well as the government’s response. The panel’s report is a hefty document and on a very cursory scan, together with the Minister’s response, we do not believe this augurs well for community involvement in planning issues.
From the DPCD website –
The Victorian planning system affects the everyday life of all Victorians. It regulates or relates to buildings and homes, the location of shopping centres and community facilities, as well as the location of transport infrastructure and recreation space.
Advisory Committee initial report
The Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy released the Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee report and the Government’s initial response on 11 May 2012.
Some of the key recommendations that have already been actioned include:
- continuing to develop a new metropolitan planning strategy and regional growth plans
- taking action to reduce the backlog of cases and waiting time at VCAT
- reviewing the adequacy of the current schedule of application fees
- developing a new code assessment process for straight forward, low impact permit applications.
Recommendations that need further work to progress include:
- reviewing the permit and amendment processes to make them more efficient
- reviewing the operation of aspects of planning schemes, such as how local policy and planning overlays work
- improving how the development contribution system works.
Glen Eira Debates 
May 11, 2012 at 6:02 PM
The Minister’s Media Release –
Government declares war on planning red tape
Friday, 11 May 2012
From the Minister for Planning
Red tape will be slashed by the Victorian Coalition Government in response to a major review of the Victorian planning system.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy today said the government would immediately move forward with key reforms recommended by the Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee.
“Red tape is stifling the economy in Victoria, particularly in the construction industry,” Mr Guy said.
“Increasing productivity in the Victorian economy is a must, to provide more jobs.
“Victorians deserve the best opportunities to start and run a business, to farm productively and to build a house.
“Too often mums and dads become mired in red tape for simple things like a council permit for a home extension, a new front fence, or lopping a tree. That’s not good enough.”
“Red tape in the planning system has led to complex, inconsistent and onerous decision making processes that have slowed down business in Victoria. We have to get business moving again, so that we can create new jobs,” Mr Guy said.
“The Committee has undertaken a comprehensive review of the planning system, making strong recommendations for long-term reforms that will benefit Victoria,” Mr Guy said.
Key red tape cuts to be implemented as a result of the review include:
Reform of the planning scheme amendment (rezoning) process – reducing the number of steps and the length of time involved
A code assessment track for simple, low-impact permit applications
Reform zones and planning provisions to simplify complex and lengthy regulations
A review of the Farming Zone to give more flexibility to Victoria’s farmers and rural communities
An increase in performance accountability for local councils and state referral authorities.
The Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee received 547 written submissions, and held meetings with over 130 individuals, groups, associations, peak bodies and local councils during 2011.
“I thank Geoff Underwood for chairing the committee, and Catherine Heggen, David Keenan, Terry Montebello, Jane Nathan and Leigh Phillips for their great work done in listening to the Victorian community and providing important advice to the government,” Mr Guy said.
The reforms to cut red tape are consistent with the Coalition Government’s policy of reducing red tape across the public sector by 25 per cent.
The Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee’s report and the government’s response are available online at http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning
May 14, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Its a lengthy report, covering substantial territory. With all the previous reviews, its little wonder it comments upon “Review Fatigue”. Credit to Victorians though—the reports notes the unprecedented number of submissions made. Its suggestive that people care about good planning and that its not happening. [It was influential in my vote at the last State election].
I was disappointed with the report for making several very weak recommendations, which boil down to “recommendation: review this area”. This may be because some areas are considered too political or may simply be due to lack of time. While it does support significant changes being made to the Planning System, its not so strong on providing clear guidance about the specifics of the changes, or how the changes are predicted to improve the system.
The Government in its response is very brief, almost terse, giving little insight into their reasons. But then, if the recommendation is to review, investigate,analyze, or clarify something (do more work), the response is generally to agree, or more often to state that its underway. It may be reading too much into the Government’s response, but in several cases where it disagreed with the Committee, it seemed to be in a response to a recommendation that would lessen Council authority or reduce people’s ability to participate. When legislation is introduced to Parliament, that’s the time we’ll find out the extent to which the Government is prepared to back up its rhetoric.