Rural & Regional Planning Conference Future proofing Regional Victoria 26-27 June 2014 Christine Wyatt Deputy Secretary - Planning Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
Future-proofing Regional Victoria 1. Unlocking the potential of regional cities and towns by: - Clear policy - Statutory mechanisms - Planning initiatives 2. Implementation and delivery
DTPLI Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Roads Minister for Local Government Minister for Planning Minister for Ports Minister for Sport and Recreation Secretary Transport Planning Local Infrastructure Corporate Finance
DTPLI vision and focus Vision A prosperous, connected and liveable Victoria Objectives Assisting cities and regions respond to growth and change and plan for their future Integrated planning for transport, residential and commercial development and community facilities Delivering service outcomes that match community needs and drive productivity Delivering major infrastructure projects on time on budget Driving global and national connections
Victoria in Future 2014 Published 30 May 2014 Replaces Victoria in Future 2012 Provides projections to: 2051 for Victoria and major regions 2031 for Local Government Areas Helps manage growth and plan for future infrastructure and service needs
Victoria in Future 2014: Highlights
Victoria in Future 2014: Components of growth
Unlocking the potential of regional cities and towns Clear Policy Plan Melbourne Regional Growth Plans Statutory Mechanisms SPPF Review Localised Planning Statements Reformed Zones Protection of significant agricultural land Bushfire regulations review Development Contributions Reform Planning Initiatives Rural Council Flying Squad 2014/15 Budget Commitment
9 Planning framework for Victoria
Plan Melbourne Permanent metropolitan urban boundary established Creating a State of Cities Rebalance the distribution of Victoria s long term population growth New major population and employment towns for growth 10 A dedicated authority, the Metropolitan Planning Authority, established to implement Plan Melbourne
Regional Growth Plans The regional growth provide a long term vision and broad direction for land use and development across Victoria Provides direction for accommodating growth and change Provide detailed planning frameworks for key regional cities Identifies opportunities for supporting regional level infrastructure Protects key attributes and resources
State Planning Policy Framework Review A review of the role, structure and format of a revised SPPF to improve Victoria s planning system. Needed to deliver Plan Melbourne & the 8 Regional Growth Plans. Will ensure integration with key strategic directions and maps in Plan Melbourne and the Regional Growth Plans. Areas of significance identified through localised planning statements will also be reflected in state policy.
Localised Planning Statements 4 localised planning statements Areas with significant geographic and physical features Will help identify and protect key attributes Will enhance Victoria s places of regional significance
Reformed zones for Victoria
Reformed residential zones 3 new residential zones Provides much needed protection for Victorian towns by protecting neighbourhoods and directing growth to defined areas Will enable settlement planning outcomes as identified in Regional Growth Plans to be achieved
Reformed rural zones Changes introduced in 2013 to provide more flexibility to existing rural zones Provides greater flexibility for land management for farmers and rural and regional councils Will support growth in agricultural and tourism activity as identified in Regional Growth Plans
Protection of high quality agricultural land Strategically important agricultural land needs to remain available in the long term to drive productivity and economic growth Action 5.3.1 of Plan Melbourne provides for the protection of high quality agricultural land Regional Growth Plans identify and protect key agricultural assets Options for protection of high quality agricultural land being explored with DEPI
Bushfire Regulations Review Planning and Building Streamlining bushfire planning controls Updated BPA mapping for 26 LGAs under the Building Regulations Supporting existing landowners who wish to build a dwelling in a BMO area Allow alternative safety measures such as bushfire bunkers
Development contributions reform 1 May 2014 Standard Levies announced for development contributions in priority growth locations, the implementation of a new Infrastructure Contribution Plan and a streamlined approval process. Able to be applied in non-metropolitan growth locations identified in Plan Melbourne and regional growth plans. Win for regional Victoria new revenue stream for many regional councils. 1 July 2015 Standard Levies available for use. A new Victorian system that is simple to use and underpinned by fairness and certainty for both councils and developers.
Implementation and Delivery Rural Council Flying Squad Provides specialist expert and technical assistance to rural and regional councils $9.2 million allocated in 2014/15 Budget Regional Growth Plan delivery Amendment VC106 $3.1 million in 2014/2014 Budget for a specialist project team to assist regional councils to assess the infrastructure demands, develop business cases and manage key projects Metropolitan Planning Authority Is available to assist regions in integrated land use and infrastructure coordination
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