The Victorian Government has introduced legislation before State Parliament that aims to cut planning system red tape and increase local councils' ability to provide open space to their communities.

 

State Minister for Planning Matthew Guy said that amendments to the Planning and Environment Act will scrap Development Assessment Committees, which centralised authority in creating open spaces.

 

"The Coalition Government will introduce a new body of Planning Application Committees which will strengthen the role of Councils in the planning system by acting as a voluntary opt-in body to which Councils may delegate applications, or from which they may seek advice, thus giving a greater level of support to local government," Mr Guy said.

 

"The new voluntary opt-in Planning Application Committees will provide a similar level of support in decision making as a Planning Panel, should the Council wish to seek further advice," Mr Guy said.

 

The legislation will also seek to strengthen public open space requirements and allow Councils to obtain levels of public open space greater than the 5 per cent minimum, as specified in the Subdivision Act.

 

Other elements of the reform to the Planning and Environment Act include:

  • clarifying which statutory authorities will keep powers of veto over local planning decisions, with some authorities such as CMA's to lose this authority;
  • streamlining the planning scheme amendment authorisation process so that all decisions are made within ten working days, or deemed authorised; and
  • allowing Councils to vary a permit issued by VCAT if changes are required, rather than applicants having to go back into the VCAT queue.