The Victorian Government has announced a $2.8 million Council Planning Flying Squad initiative. The initiative will consist of planning specialists to assist regional and rural councils by providing short-term expertise and assistance to ease the backlog of planning requests.

 

"The Flying Squad will be a group of planning specialists who will work on the ground with regional and rural councils to ease the backlog of planning requests and other issues by providing short-term expertise and assistance," Victorian Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said.

 

"Councils will have access to immediate assistance with planning assessments, major projects and developments, long-term land use issues and strategic plans.”

 

Victorian Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said the Flying Squad would provide short-term staffing solutions as well as access to local consultancies having regard for the specific needs and workload of each council.

 

"There is compelling evidence that councils are facing heavy workloads and increasing backlogs in their planning offices," Mrs Powell said.

 

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has welcomed the move, with President ​Cr Bill McArthur saying rural councils had consistently identified the need for additional resources to help with their day-to-day statutory planning workload, and to assist with critical strategic planning initiatives to guide future land use.