Hon. Rob Hulls,

Minister for Planning,

Level 17, 8 Nicholson St.,

East Melbourne, 3002.

 

31 January, 2005

Request for Meeting

State level planning protection for Macedon Ranges Shire

 

Dear Minister,

 

I write on behalf of Macedon Ranges Residents’ Association [MRRA], which is calling for State level planning protection to be re-instated in Macedon Ranges Shire.

 

MRRA met with former Minister Delahunty in April last year asking for State government leadership and support to prepare a specific Macedon Ranges’ Regional Strategy *, complete our planning scheme, change legislation and the VPP’s to accommodate Macedon Ranges’ special planning needs * and, critically, immediately apply interim planning protection to control development while the above work is done.  * See attached comparison chart.

 

At that meeting, the previous Minister reaffirmed the Bracks’ government commitment to providing State level protection, and agreed to act.  The previous Minister hasn’t delivered.

 

To date, your government has contributed some $95,000 State funding towards two strategic planning projects in Macedon Ranges (about the same amount metro councils received just to put Melbourne 2030 into their schemes).  Our Council has estimated over $1 million worth of strategic work is required (Council is contributing $360,000).  When criticized about inadequate support and action, the previous Minister responded by saying Macedon Ranges is already protected (it isn’t), and that interim protection is not possible (the Minister then provided interim protection to metropolitan councils).

 

The Association holds grave concerns that the Bracks’ government’s long-standing policy to protect Macedon Ranges is being overridden by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, which appears to have, and be implementing, its own growth agenda for Macedon Ranges, contrary to the government’s policy and calls by Macedon Ranges’ Council and community for State protection.

 

Minister Hulls, it is now almost a year since the previous Minister committed to protect Macedon Ranges.  It is almost 7 years since the Bracks’ government promised, as policy, to provide State level planning protection for Macedon Ranges.  In 2005, we’re still waiting for that protection.

 

All the while, over-development and speculation that has occurred since the loss of our former restrictive planning scheme in 2000 is causing permanent damage to State significant values, rural township character and potable water catchments, and it won’t stop until the State government acts.

 

The Macedon Ranges’ community is angry at damage arising from the government’s inaction and broken promises.  Late last year 500 people attended public protest meetings, and a new Shire-wide community action group has now emerged in Gisborne.  Community anger extends to include local State MPs, with most seen as listening to the department not the community.

 

MRRA welcomes your appointment and sees you as a Minister capable of taking charge of the department, instead of the other way around.   We are looking to you to honour the government’s policy promise and provide long-overdue State level protection for Macedon Ranges Shire, and we urgently seek a meeting with you to discuss this issue and options for immediate interim protection.

 

We believe, and are sure you will agree, that it is in the best interests of both Macedon Ranges and the Bracks’ government for this matter to be positively and expeditiously resolved.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

 

Christine Pruneau,

Secretary.

 

 

c.c. (in alphabetical order)