Posted 6/10/08

Liberal Nationals Coalition Media Release

Sunday 5 October, 2008

BRUMBY MUST STOP PLANS TO URBANISE THE MACEDON RANGES

Labor's plans for the Macedon Ranges: Beautiful one day, suburban the next.

The Brumby Government has demanded the removal of the sole remaining planning policy that protects the Macedon Ranges from urban sprawl in a bid to suburbanise the Calder Freeway corridor, Shadow Planning Minister Matthew Guy said today.

Mr Guy said revelations by the Macedon Ranges Shire that the State Government has demanded the removal of Statement of Planning Policy number 8 - a 1975 policy designed to protect the Macedon Ranges' unique environment - was a precursor for high density urban development throughout the Macedon Ranges.

"Labor's unplanned population explosion is now having dire consequences for places outside the Urban Growth Boundary such as the Macedon Ranges," Mr Guy said.

"Now that Melbourne 2030 has failed, the State Government is seeking to force urbanisation upon some of the most sensitive areas of the state with no consultation whatsoever.

"If the Planning Minister proceeds with demanding the removal of this policy which protects the Macedon Ranges from urbanisation then the character and rural charm of one of the state's most beautiful regions will be lost forever," Mr Guy said.

Mr Guy said that in demanding the removal of the policy which protects the natural beauty of the Macedon Ranges, the government was behaving like an environmental vandal.

"It is completely outrageous that the state government is set to allow development to the base of Mount Macedon and close to Hanging Rock," Mr Guy said.

"These are some of the most precious natural assets that Victoria has and they should be protected by the state, not seen as fire sale development opportunities."

Further, Mr Guy said that Labor's 'one size fits all' mentality to planning policy would lead to repeats of what is happening in the Macedon Ranges.

"Unfortunately for Victoria Labor doesn't care about urban or town character, or see the environmental differences between Mallacoota, Macedon, Moe or Montmorency," Mr Guy said.

Media contact: Matthew Guy 0400 001 282