PLANNING VISION   (Appeared 2 August 2005, Leader newspaper) 

From Rob Hulls, Minister for Planning

I WRITE about the letter from Jean Philipps of Bullengarook in the Leader on July 12, 2005.

Ms Philipps has claimed that I have ``unilaterally imposed planning controls to protect the Yarra River and, in doing so usurped a number of democratically elected councils''.  Ms Philipps has gotten the facts completely wrong. For a start, I have not unilaterally imposed controls along the Yarra.

In fact what I did was release a draft report on planning controls along the Yarra River. That report was prepared in partnership with the four councils which adjoin this section of the river.  It proposes a new, clear and consistent planning vision for the river corridor. The report's findings are now open for public comment.

There is no comparison between the Yarra report and what Macedon Ranges Council is asking for.   If anything, the council might want to take a closer look at the Yarra review project because it is a terrific example of sound strategic planning at work. It is the sort of work the council needs to do for its own region.

Once Macedon Ranges Council has done the necessary strategic planning work, I will be happy to discuss with it how it might best go about reflecting this in its local planning scheme.

In the meantime, I'd encourage Ms Philipps to check her facts before sending off letters to your paper in future.