FROM THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING

DATE: Monday, June 11, 2007


COMMUNITY TO HAVE ITS SAY ON IMPLEMENTATION OF MELBOURNE 2030

Victorians will be invited to have their say on the future implementation of Melbourne’s long-term planning strategy, Melbourne 2030.

A four-member expert group has been appointed to assist with the first five-yearly audit of Melbourne’s long-term planning strategy, Melbourne 2030, the Minister for Planning Justin Madden announced today.

The group will provide advice to the Minister to inform the audit’s second stage, and will help to review submissions from the community, local councils, industry and key stakeholders, to ensure all interested parties have their say about the ongoing development of Melbourne 2030.

Since Melbourne 2030 was introduced in 1999, the Government has legislated to protect Melbourne’s precious Green Wedges, direct housing to where new communities can access schools, shops and transport, streamline planning processes, and stop development smothering the coastline.

The group members are:

• Chair: Prof. Rob Moodie, current Chair of Global Health, Melbourne University. Former CEO of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and almost 30 years experience in multi-disciplinary public policy roles.

• Michael Wright QC, a specialist in planning law for 20 years.

• David Whitney, an eminent Victorian planner with over 35 years experience.

• Dr Ann McAfee, an international planning expert with many years of experience at the City of Vancouver.

Mr Madden said the Government had committed $1 million over two years to the stocktake and audit process through the 2007-08 State Budget.

“Our commitment to a more prosperous, sustainable and fairer city is as strong as ever. We want to listen to what the community has to say about how we put Melbourne 2030 into practice.”

“The basic principles of Melbourne 2030 are not up for review but we want the community’s input into how we implement this crucial policy.”

“Victoria’s population is expanding along with its economy and we need to manage that growth to ensure that Melbourne retains its liveability into the future.”

“We want the future of Melbourne to be a matter of choice, not chance.”

“The audit is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the implementation process and how we can do things better so that Melbourne remains one of the most liveable cities in the world.”

The stock take, which includes a review of local and national trends, began late last year and is expected to be completed by August.

Key issues identified so far include development in and around activity centres, the quality of development, climate change, housing choices and affordable housing.

The public, local councils and key stakeholders will be invited to make a submission to the audit in August and further information will appear in local papers and be posted on the Department of Sustainability and Environment website closer to the time.

“I encourage all interested parties including councils, peak bodies, resident groups and individuals to make a submission,” Mr Madden said.

Terms of Reference to guide the work of the Audit Expert Committee are available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/planning.

The expert group is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the Minister by the end of 2007.