Property developers, proponents and financiers of major infrastructure.
What do you need to do?Consider options for strategic use of the proposed new Development Assessment Committees in securing planning approvals.
Partner
T +61 3 9643 4107
Author
Eliza Bergin
This week the Victorian State Government announced proposed reforms that will further centralise decision-making on key planning approvals. The Victorian Government’s responsiveness to applications for planning approvals by property developers and proponents of major infrastructure looks set to continue.
Key reform - Development Assessment Committees
Property developers and proponents of major infrastructure may stand to benefit from the recently proposed Development Assessment Committees (‘DACs’). The DACs form part of a series of planning reforms announced by the Victorian Government in its Planning for all of Melbourne report, in response to the recent audit of Melbourne 2030.
DACs will initially be established to make decisions on planning approvals in several Principal Activity Centres and Transit Cities. These include Camberwell, Preston, Coburg, Doncaster and central Geelong. In time, 3 to 5 DACs will operate in the metropolitan area, grouped by region.
In partnership with the local government sector, the DACs are proposed to make planning decisions about areas and matters of metropolitan significance. Criteria will be developed to establish:
- Which areas and matters will be considered as having state, regional or metropolitan significance, and
- Circumstances in which the Minister for Planning will determine whether a matter or area is of state, regional or metropolitan significance and the decision-making arrangements that will apply.
Nominees from both the state and local government sector are proposed to comprise each DAC, including:
- One independent chair, mutually agreed between the state and local government sectors in consultation with the relevant councils
- Two standing State Government nominees, and
- Two local government nominees.
Decisions of DACs may be reviewed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The DACs may further streamline planning approval processes, expedite outcomes and improve transparency in decision-making in relation to matters of significance.
Further reforms
Other reforms of note include:
- The newly created Department of Transport will identify and implement priority projects under the Meeting Our Transport Challenges plan to better integrate transport and land-use planning
- The introduction of a new Activity Centre Zone, and Development Framework tailored to each Activity Centre. This will simplify planning by replacing the wide mix of zones that currently apply to each centre. It will also provide greater certainty for developers about the scale of development, land uses and boundaries of each centre, and
- The implementation of new residential zones. This will increase certainty for developers regarding the scale, location and form of residential development.
How can we assist you?
Our experience in securing planning approvals for major property developments and infrastructure projects directly from the State Government will further benefit clients following these reforms.
We would be happy to answer any queries you may have, or to assist you to navigate the planning process.