Alert

Who does this affect?

Landowners and developers have been invited to make submission on the expansion of Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundaries.

What do you need to do?

If you are wanting to prepare a submission we are able to assist you with this. Submissions close July 17 2009

Author
Eliza Bergin  
Senior Associate

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Stephen Davis  
Partner
T +61 3 9643 4107

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Submissions are invited by 17 July 2009 in response to a report released by the Victorian Government detailing proposed expansions to Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundaries. You should consider whether the proposed changes have implications for land value and development and whether to make a submission. There are two core features which may affect our clients.

Firstly, changes to the Urban Growth Boundary have been recommended in Melbourne's:

• West (between Melton, Caroline Springs and Werribee)

• North (from Epping North and Craigieburn to Beveridge and around Sunbury), and

• South-East (South-East of Cranbourne including Clyde).

The Growth Areas Authority advise that the proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary will bring around 41,000 hectares of land into the metropolitan area, of which around 26,000 hectares is identified as being suitable for development, giving Melbourne at least 20 years supply of land.

Submissions are also invited on the alignments of the Regional Rail Link (west of Werribee to Deer Park) and the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor; and the boundaries and management of areas for grassland reserves in Melbourne's west.

This second change proposes to create two major areas of grassland outside the Urban Growth Boundary. At the same time it will create reserves in two core areas and total approximately 15,000ha in size. The Victorian Government has prepared a strategic assessment under Part 10 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). Once endorsed, this assessment will be need to be considered when assessing impacts of proposed developments on matters of environmental significance. This includes listed flora such as spiny rice-flower and listed fauna such as the golden sun moth, striped legless lizard and growling grass frog.

We would be happy to prepare a submission regarding these changes on behalf of property developers and landowners affected by these proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary and implications for your land, future development and interests.