The Victorian government has created a new unit based within the Department of Planning and Community Development to liaise with peri-urban councils in the area surrounding Melbourne.

 

The Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the Unit would focus on population management, strategic planning and long-term structure planning of towns and future communities.

 

It will be the first port of call for councils needing assistance in strategic planning and transport integration and rural, coastal, green wedge and interface issues.

 

“I recently met with the Peri-Urban Group of Regional Councils who welcomed this initiative as an important step towards improving our approach to population and planning issues, and preparation for fire and flood. The quality of urban environments and township character are issues of particular concern to peri-urban councils, and the unit will work with councils to address them,” Mr Guy said.

 

Developing localised statements of planning policy for areas including the Yarra Valley, the Macedon Ranges, and the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas will also be a priority for the Peri-Urban Unit.