Planning Headline Archive

State Government Gazettes 2003 "Lapse" Of Infamous Amendment C8 (15/5/06 - P) What's going on? Wasn't C8 abandoned when Council walked away from it in 2004?

Amendment C21 & C48 (Rural Land)

The Ink's Not Dry On C48 And Already Amendment C55 Is Trying to Wind It Back (27/2/06 - P) Council goes for Ministerial amendment to rip out 'superfluous' referral and permit requirements

Fame And Shame As Amendment C48 Gives - And Takes Away! (27/2/06 - P) New rural zones, strategies and policies are in, but lack of departmental quality control is obvious in this error-ridden document

Large Use and Development Proposals Fall Before C48 And New Rural Zones (27/2/06 - P) Macedon Lodge and Live Game Ranch are among the first to go

Hallelujah! Pinch Yourself: A Year On, Minister for Planning Hulls Finally, Finally Finds His Pen And Signs Off On Amendments C21 and C48 (11/2/06 – P) Now it’s time to work out exactly what he’s approved…

Coooeee! Anyone Seen Amendment C21 (Now C48)? (29/1/06 – P) Gazettal goes missing

Are The Blind Leading The Blind? (31/3/05 - P) Councillors Confuse Asking Minister To Put New State Rural Zones In Planning Scheme With Voting For Amendment C21

Amendment C21 & C48 (2000 Lots Missing from Scheme Maps)

Close To 2,000 Existing Rural Lots Left Off New Macedon Ranges' Planning Scheme Maps (18/3/06 - SP) The list of mistakes keeps growing as Department of Sustainability and Environment shafts Macedon Ranges again

Amendment C26 (Wildfire Management Overlay)

Amendment C26 Approved: New Wildfire Overlays (WMO) Now Apply (3/3/08 - P) Approved by Planning Minister last week.

Amendment C33 (Heritage)

Recent Heritage Amendments To Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme A Step Forward (11/7/11 - P) C33, C76 and C78 begin to pick up on some scheme deficiencies

Amendment C38 (Gisborne Development Plan Overlay)

C38 Development Plan Overlay In Gisborne Almost Slipped Away (2/8/06 - P) Cr. Rob Guthrie says ask Minister to extend until Gisborne Outline Development Plan is in scheme. All we need to do now is find the Gisborne ODP.

Amendment C39 (Towns' DPO and various)

Residents Lose Rights To Notice, Object and Appeal As Minister for Planning Today Signs Off On Amendment C39: Rights to Know Now Squashed For All Development Applications In Residential Zones Where Development Plan Overlays Apply (23/11/06 - P) According to VCAT, Development Plan Overlays extinguish all residents' rights, and now, thanks to C39, DPOs are over 5 of 6 of our main towns: Gisborne, Kyneton, Riddells Creek, Romsey, Woodend. Council alone will make decisions - and with Macedon Ranges Council, that could mean developers can basically do what they want, and we can't have any say in it.

Your Rights Removed? Amendment C39: (21/3/05 - P) Development Plan Overlays for Romsey, Kyneton, Woodend and Riddells Creek

Council Sends Amendments C39 and C40 to Independent Panel (22/4/05 - P)

Amendment C40 (North Woodend Depot)

Oops! Quick Fix As Councillors Realize C40 North Woodend Waste Site Proposal Hasn't Gone Away (19/4/06 - P) Doubled-up rezoning request in Amendment C47 almost got through

Contentious Waste Management Depot Off To Kyneton As Council Dumps C40 (27/2/06 - P) North Woodend residents applaud as Crs. Harvey and Gyorffy move and second to 'get rid of it'

Waste Recycling Depot In North Woodend Up For Comment Again (24/11/05 – P) Input on Council change to Amendment C40 Development Plan Overlay sought as next Panel hearing day approaches

Objectors Force Council To Change New Woodend Depot Plans In Amendment C40 (31/8/05 – P) Independent panel waits as new Development Plan Overlay goes on exhibition – get your submissions in by September 28th

Council Sends Amendments C39 and C40 to Independent Panel (22/4/05 - P)

Amendment C45 (Braemar, Golf Course Hill Woodend, 2007)

Amendment C47 (Mixed Use Woodend, and various)

Minister for Planning Approves Amendment C47, Opens The Door For Supermarket and Petrol Station At Woodend Railway Station (13/6/08 - P) Not all of the amendment was approved, but enough to see the old CFA building, and former railway goods sheds (the produce store and insectarium) now facing demolition - there aren't any heritage overlays on the land that has been rezoned, or the CFA and former goods sheds.

C47, The 'Dog's Breakfast' Amendment: Planning In Macedon Ranges Shire Disintegrates As Council Defies Panel's "No" To Get Woodend Rezoning For Developers (31/3/07 - P) Last Wednesday's Council meeting confirms this Council will do "whatever it takes" to get developers what they want. Community, rules and process can just sod off.

As MRRA Predicted, C47 Proves To Be A "Dog's Breakfast" Amendment As Independent Panel Recommends Most Rezonings Be Abandoned Because There's No Strategic Justification For Them (28/3/07 - P) Council agrees to Panel's recommendations on 14th March, but rumour has it some will attempt to reverse that decision on March 28 to get major development moving: will five Councillors do 'whatever it takes' to get these rejected proposals up? Is C47 set to become Woodend's version of the 'development at any cost' Gisborne Call Centre fiasco?

Council Almost Goes With Illegal Move On Amendments C47 and C49 (23/7/06 - P) Claims that Department of Sustainability and Environment agreed to recommendations not allowed by Act

Embarrassment As Minister Hulls Approves Exhibition of "Abandoned" Amendments C47 and C49 (5/4/06 - P) Latest in a series of Department of Sustainability and Environment blunders disadvantages Macedon Ranges yet again! Isn't it time for an inquiry into departmental operations?

Amendment C47: ‘You want it? You got it…’ (22/4/05 - P) Council supports another grab-bag of ad hoc applications for amendments to Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme.

Amendment C49 (B3Z, Riddells Creek)

Amendment C49 in Riddells Creek Bites The Dust (17/2/07 - P) Council formally abandons the amendment after a Panel found it had no strategic basis

Council Almost Goes With Illegal Move On Amendments C47 and C49 (23/7/06 - P) Claims that Department of Sustainability and Environment agreed to recommendations not allowed by Act

Amendment C52 (Macedon House)

Amendment C55 (Removal of permit and referral requirements)

The Ink's Not Dry On C48 And Already Amendment C55 Is Trying to Wind It Back (27/2/06 - P) Council goes for Ministerial amendment to rip out 'superfluous' referral and permit requirements

Amendment C59 (Gisborne ODP) See Gisborne ODP

C59 Amendment For Gisborne Outline Development Plan (ODP) Is On Exhibition (16/7/08 - P) Submissions to be in by 11 August

Amendment C64 (MRSC Gaming Policy)

Amendment C64 Puts New Requirements In Place For Pokies In Macedon Ranges (11/7/11 - P) But more work to be done as Council didn't get all it asked for

Amendment C72 (2010: Kyneton Racecourse Plan)

Amendment C72 - Kyneton Racecourse Masterplan - Exhibited. (23/12/10 - P) Changes proposed to Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme. Comments close 4 February 2011

Amendment C76 (Heritage)

Recent Heritage Amendments To Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme A Step Forward (11/7/11 - P) C33, C76 and C78 begin to pick up on some scheme deficiencies

Amendment C78 (Heritage)

Recent Heritage Amendments To Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme A Step Forward (11/7/11 - P) C33, C76 and C78 begin to pick up on some scheme deficiencies

Amendment C84 (Settlement Strategy/Municipal Strategic Statement)

The Stench Of Villawood Assaults Woodend Yet Again With Yet Another (Amendment) Development Proposal Outside The Town Boundary (20/10/14 - P) They're back! This time they want their 500-odd acres at Golf Course Hill rezoned for 150 lots (0.5ha to 20ha) and a potential retirement village (no numbers provided - as you do)

Brazen As You like, Council Lies Again To The Community - If Not The Minister For Planning (13/7/14 - P) Grab your July copy of Shire Life, and frame it as evidence that nothing is too low for Macedon Ranges Council

Amendment C84: Getting Riddell Right Calls For Community Help To Have Minister For Planning Intervene (25/6/14 - P) Council refusal to act on C84 Panel recommendation deletes critical policy and undermines community VCAT case against supermarket proposal

Wooo... Crs. Sally Piper And Jennifer Anderson Go For it With Notices Of Motion For Tonight's Council Meeting At Gisborne (21/5/13-RA-C) But why do they even need to ask?

'Settle Woodend' Group Holds Community Meeting On Woodend Structure Plan And Amendment C84 (23/4/13-RA-P) Discussions about these documents and making submissions on them: Monday 29 April

Amendment C84 - Interim Panel Report Confirms It's A Dog's Breakfast (16/11/12 - P) More money, professional expertise, more work and a re-write are needed to recover from Council's poor performance on this one

Amendment C84: Local Planning Policy Framework (MSS) Exhibited (24/12/11 - P) Here we go again. Council's 2011 Christmas gift to the community - submissions closed December 19

Amendment C84: The Diabolical, Dysfunctional And Direction-Changing Amendment Is Back (23/4/13-RA-P) Not an improvement, not acceptable, just more good money thrown after bad

Amendment C89 (Errors & Anomalies 2015)

Amendment C89: Council Does Everything It Can To Avoid The Scrutiny Of An Independent Panel (1/10/14 - P) And Cr. Letchford attacks and blames MRRA. Wrongly. Again. C89 Council Performances

Amendment C92 (Macedon Restructure Overlay 2012 - 2015)

Amendment C92 (Macedon Restructure Overlay): Panel Report Says Abandon The Amendment (25/3/14 - P) Council gets it (i) wrong, (ii) wrong, (iii) wrong, (iv) wrong, (v) wrong, (vi) wrong and (vii) wrong

Amendments C98, 99, 100 (Town Structure Plans 2013 - 2016) See also Outline Development Plans

Thought Amendments C98 (Woodend), C99 (Kyneton) and C100 (Riddells Creek) Are Implementing Each Town's Structure Plan? Think Again (13/10/15 - P) These amendments take the towns in a different direction to the Structure Plans Council adopted. Substantial additions, deletions and changes have been made since the Structure Plans were adopted and it is these changes, not the Structure Plans, that are in the amendments. Changes at Riddells Creek and Kyneton are so substantial, Council isn't even including the adopted Structure Plans as Reference Documents for the policies in these amendments. Residents must make submissions to Council requesting their Structure Plans replace what's in these amendments by October 23.

Amendment C107 (Commercial Rezone, Woodend 2016)

Uh-oh... What's Going On With The Amendment C107 Commercial Rezoning In Woodend? ( 2/11/15 - P) We don't know... but Council's strange behaviour certainly raises eyebrows and questions Woodend Structure Plan File

Amendment C110 (Rural Living 2014 - 2016) See also Rural Living

Panel Set For Amendment C110 - The Rural Living Subdivision Frenzy (9/3/16 - P) Council drops the panel hearing for C110 right in the middle of panel hearings for Woodend, Kyneton and Riddells Creek Structure Plans, AND the Protection Advisory Committee process

Reminder: Council's C110 Rural Living Land-Grab Amendment Submissions Close December 23 ( 13/12/15 - P) Amendment C110 - the disgrace Macedon Ranges Shire Council calls planning. Just a couple of lines from you objecting to and asking for C110 to be abandoned will do.

Council's "In The Rural Living Zone". Well, It's Some Sort Of Zone But More Like One From Outer Space... (16/12/14 - P) Psst...don't ever call it a strategy or even planning: greed, ignorance, misrepresentation and empire-building are closer to the mark (MRRA Submission) Rural Living File

Council's "From Outer-Space" Rural Living 'Strategy': Amendment C110 Is Now On Exhibition. Submissions Due 23 December (24/11/15 - P) Will it go down as the worst example of 'planning' in Macedon Ranges Shire? In history? It should... It's self-interested madness. Make sure you get your objection in. Rural Living file

Concerns With Macedon Ranges' Amendments

Concern Mounts At Macedon Ranges Council's Growing Habit Of Changing Its Planning Scheme To Fit Individual Development Proposals (16/11/12 - P) Hanging Rock, Macedon RO, C82 in Gisborne - and now another amendment in Woodend - fail to recognise basic principles of proper and orderly planning

Departmental Notices

Latest Department Of Planning And Community Development [DPCD] Notices (22/5/10 - P) On guard, people, annual report released on Urban Development Program (Brumby's Bible?)

Fire

State Govt Introduces Sweeping Changes To Bushfire Planning Provisions In Amendment VC83 (24/12/11 - P) New Bushfire Management Overlay [BMO] takes consideration of fire hazard further

New Regulations For Bushfire Prone Areas In Force From 8 September 2011 (23/9/11 - E) Regulations and maps released by State government

Community Workshops On Fire Readiness (7/10/11 - P) Woodend (17/10), Riddell (22/10) and Macedon (24/10)

Draft Loddon-Mallee Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan On Exhibition (13/4/11- E) Public can comment until 29 April

Hasty Woodend Bushfire Meeting Runneth Over (13/8/10 - P) The local 'bush telegraph' gets numbers to the meeting

Bushfire "Consultation" In Woodend Monday 9 August (8/8/10 - E) Rush job to "consult" - no time for local publicity about "community meeting"

Bushfire At-Risk Schools, Kindergarten and Child Care Facilities List (19/11/09 - E) These are the places that will close on Catastrophic fire danger days - and there are some surprises in Macedon Ranges.

Department of Planning And Community Development Advises New Web Page For Bushfire Resource Info (10/10/09 - SG) Easier access

State Government's Euphemistic "Interim Measures For Bushfire Protection" Rammed Into Planning Schemes (17/9/09 - P) This knee-jerk piece of political opportunism creates a dangerous future for rural Victorians

State Government Acts On Bushfire Recovery (9/3/09 - P) New planning provisions for bushfire recovery now in planning schemes, and new building standards to be met

DPI Expands Its Stock Containment Grants For Fire-Affected Areas (9/3/09 - E) Funding and information now available for Port Phillip region

Can You Help With Roo Rugs And Other Accoutrements? (12/3/09 - E) Call to arms for wildlife bushfire victims

Infoxchange: Technology Supporting Bushfire Relief (21/2/09 - CC) Computer and IT assistance is available

Important Information For People Affected By Bushfires (21/2/09 - E) How to get help, how to help

Can You Help? (21/2/09 - E) A Landcare proposal for a 'buddy system' to reach out to those in bushfire affected areas

Bushfire Preparedness Courses - FREE (21/2/09 - E) Woodend Neighbourhood House

"Women And Children On Ash Wednesday" Forum: Macedon, Sunday 18 February (17/2/07 - E) A contemplative look at the past, to benefit our future

Heritage

Avenues of Honour

From One Extreme To Another: Council Now Agrees To Look At Heritage Victoria Protection For All Shire Avenues Of Honour (19/8/06 - P) Good stuff. It's a positive move away from 'let it die' at Macedon, isn't it?

Council

Council's Draft Heritage Review (Stage One) Is Out For Comment (19/11/09 - P) Comments in by 27 November

Federal Issues

National Heritage Crisis - An Urgent Call For Assistance (24/6/08 - P) Dr Geoff Mosley, former Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation, says Australian heritage protection at the Commonwealth level is close to a crisis situation.

Federal Productivity Commission

Federal Productivity Commission's Heritage Recommendations Are Heartbreakers (7/8/06 - P) It seems saving Australia's heritage runs second to making money: is it 'snouts in the trough' time as developers look set to be compensated for NOT knocking it down - if the Federal government agrees with Commission's recommendations?

MRRA's Productivity Commission Submission (27/2/06 - P) We don't buy the Commission's recommendations to abolish heritage protection in Australia - we say, abolish the Productivity Commission instead

Federal Government’s Productivity Commission Looks To Wipe Out Heritage Protection (11/2/06 – P) Almost all controls and protections removed, including the National Estate – submissions against this outrage close February 24

Heritage: State

Review of the Heritage Act: Submissions Close 31 August 2015 (13/7/15 - P) Critically important review of a critically important piece of legislation. Heritage file

Heritage And Urban Design Survey - Have Your Say (11/7/11 - P) Online survey: evaluate the government's heritage and urban design programs and services. Closes August 26.

Fresh Calls And Pressure For Heritage Planning Overhaul In Victoria (2/11/10 - P) Monumental FAIL for State government on planning and heritage issues, say National Trust and other groups

Heritage Planning Scheme Provisions Advisory Committee Report Now Available (14/12/07 - P) Final recommendation on changes to State Heritage Overlay seem to take on board MRRA's submission

Review Of State Heritage Planning Controls - Comments In By 30 April* (28/3/07 - P) Consultation Paper now available from DSE

National Trust

National Trust Issues Urgent Call For Your Help (29/6/10 - P) The battle for the Windsor Hotel continues...

National Trust Asks For Your Help To Save Melbourne's Heritage (21/8/09 - P) Statewide campaign calling on State government to stop our past being destroyed by development

Malmsbury VicRoads' Bluestone Cottage

VicRoads Says It Will Demolish Bluestone Cottage If Council Doesn't Take It Over (1/3/06 - P) Council to decide tonight but officer recommendation is 'Say No'

Woodend

Heritage Peel Cottages Disappear Beneath A Bulldozer (10/11/07 - P) So much for 'we've got it in hand'...

Bulldozers Will Get ‘Day’s Cottage’ As Macedon Ranges’ Mayor Casts Deciding Vote To Demolish Historic House In Woodend (22/4/05 – P) Woodend’s heritage under assault. Macedon Ranges’ residents should be outraged at Councillors’ ‘get rid of it’ mentality

No Heritage Protection: (13/4/05 - P) While We Continue To Wait For Overlays, Will Bulldozers Get ‘Beth Shan’?

Houses In Rural Zones See also Amendment C48

Dwelling Applications in Rural Zones

VCAT Sets Bar High For Houses In Water Catchments With "Rozen Decision": That's A "Well Done" (22/5/10 - P) Definitive interpretation of State guidelines for development in open, potable water catchments

Supreme Court Says VCAT Erred At Law In Approving 4 Houses In Proclaimed Water Catchment At Ashbourne (6/10/08 - P) Western Water challenge succeeds and is now heading back to VCAT for a new decision

Housing Approvals On Rural Land And In Water Catchments (4/12/07 - P) It appears Council is considered to have an exemplary record

VCAT Taken To The Supreme Court Over Approval Of 4 Houses At Ashbourne In A Drinking Water Catchment (20/11/07 - P) Western Water and now Macedon Ranges Council are to take VCAT on, on points of law - with, we hear, some encouragement from Justin Madden, Minister for Planning

Council Puts Another House On A Small Rural Zoned Lot (Romsey). As You Do... (17/9/07 - P) Letchford "flip" gets it across the line. Between Council and VCAT, will there be any vacant rural lots left? Are applicants really living in the houses that are approved, or are decision-makers being sucked in by sob stories when it's just a cynical wealth-generating exercise?

VCAT Puts Another House On A Small Rural Zoned Lot (22/8/07 - P) "Not in conflict with State or local policy"

VCAT Approves "Job Lot" of 4 houses in Drinking water catchment & Conservation Zone at Ashbourne (29/10/07 - P) Not only didn't State and Local policy stop it, VCAT 'shredded' the Minister's Guidelines for Open Water Catchments into the bargain

Confused Mayor Relph Supports Another House In A Rural Zone As Cr. Tom Gyorffy Tells Council It Is Undermining State Policy And It's Only A Matter Of Time Before The Minister Sacks Council (17/4/07 - C/P) Crs. McGregor, Connor, Relph and Neil think it's a good idea to use rich red dirt for residential purposes

Another House In Cobaw Rural Conservation Zone - "Lovely People, Nice Spot" Gets Six Votes (19/8/06 - P) Council applies its whacko-jacko Rural Policy to justify saying 'yes'

Macedon Ranges Councillors Defy Planning Scheme Again To Get House Approved In Farming Zone (19/4/06 - P) Cr. Noel Harvey admits he knows the officer's recommendation to refuse is right, but says yes to development anyway

No Amendment But Council Defers Officer’s Refusal of House In Rural Zone / Water Catchment (Bowyers Road, Woodend) (14/6/05 – P) What harm can one more do?

PUICAN DECISION - C48 ROLLED AT VCAT

Rural Dwellings & Subdivision Policy

"8 - 10 Year Old Could Understand Simplified Rural Policy", Says Town Planner Cr John Letchford (2/8/06 - P) MRRA says that's not surprising, even most 2 year olds have no difficulty understanding "yes, can do"

Council's 'Rural Policy' Starts Its Downward Slide? (16/7/06 - P) This one seems headed just one way

Council's Draft Rural Areas Policy Consultation Meeting Schedule Now Out (28/3/06 - P) Get those submissions in - tell Council you want our rural land protected: "Keep It Rural" DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS EXTENDED TO END OF MAY

Council's "Rural Areas" Policy Out For Public Comment Until April 28 (10/3/06 - P) Go! Go! Go! Even if you don't put in a submission on the policy, send a message saying you support keeping and protecting our precious rural land - before there's none left.

Council's "Dwellings And Subdivision In Rural Areas" Policy Is Fair Enough (1/3/06 - P) MRRA says 'good job' but it could have been tougher.

"Keatings' Meeting"

Like Vultures Circling A Carcass, "Fair Go Farmers" Show Their Hand At Kyneton Rural Land Meeting (13/6/07 - P) Ah, but these aren't really farmers, are they? They sound more like speculators demanding open slather, not a 'fair go'

Real Estate Agencies' Revival Meeting Rolls Into Kyneton 30 May (29/5/07 - P) Hallelujah - pass the plate and bring your Rural Land For Sale sign.

Old-Time 'Farmers' Wanting To Cash In Dominate Woodend Real Estate Agency Meeting (18/3/06 - P) Get support from people outside Macedon Ranges Shire

Woodend Real Estate Agency Tries Again For 'Open Slather' On Houses In Rural Zones (11/3/06 - P) Agency's version of planning still seems 'cocked up' and confusing, no discernable improvement over December meeting

Woodend Real Estate Agent Calls Public Forum, Challenges Rural Development Restrictions (10/12/05 – SP) With the Council we now have and the State government’s failure to protect Macedon Ranges, are we surprised developers want a house on every lot?

The ‘Keating’s Meeting’ - Woodend Public Forum About Permits For Dwellings on Rural Lots: (15/12/05 – P) Inaccurate information, mixed messages and misinterpretation of planning schemes is causing heaps of confusion

Housing

DPCD Shows Why The 'Median' House Price Depends On Who You Listen To (23/12/10 - P) HInt: It helps if you know who's counting what

Peri Urban

Change And Continuity In Peri Urban Australia: Monograph 4 Now Available (29/9/08 - P) Final chapter puts forward two scenarios

Change And Continuity In Peri Urban Australia - Monograph 2 Now Released (10/8/08 - P) Towering strategic report on Bendigo Corridor

"Change and Continuity In Peri Urban Australia" - First Report Of Federal Study Now Available (7/8/07 - P) Critically important study looks at rapid growth in semi-rural areas on the fringe of capital cities

Planning and Climate Change

California Has BALLS: It's Pretty Simple - No Water, No Development!!! (9/6/08 - E) Ooohh, would that we did... How soon can Arnie make it to Victoria?

VCAT Strikes First Blow In A Climate-Change Affected World (10/8/08 - P) Applications for dwellings knocked back - land at risk from rising sea levels, says VCAT

NSW Minister For Planning's Approval Of Development On Flood-prone Coastal Area Overturned (24/12/07 - P) Court says Minister failed to consider climate change and ecologically sustainable development (ESD) issues

Planning Applications

Bendigo Bank, Romsey

Romsey Bendigo Bank Takes VCAT, Council And Objectors To Supreme Court (17/10/12 - P) Challenges heritage protection and retaining trees

Public Meeting Re Romsey Bendigo Bank Development (14/11/11 - P) 7.30pm, Tuesday 22 November, Romsey Community Hub

Community Website - Romsey Magnolia - Raises Concerns About New Bendigo Bank Site (23/10/11 - P) Romsey residents concerned development application hasn't satisfactorily tackled the big issues

Braemar / Villawood (Golf Course Hill) School & 1000 lots

The Stench Of Davies Hill/Villawood Is Back (16/11/12 - P) And if you are silly enough to believe them, only 290 quarter-acre lots this time on their 550 acres of farming land See also C84

Braemar Comes To Its Senses And Divorces Itself From Villawood (24/12/11 - P) The long journey for the school to recover reputation and community support begins...

Minister For Planning Says State Government Won't "Micro-Manage" Davies Hill/Villawood Proposal (23/10/11 - P) Processes are in place that should resolve the issue without Government interference.

Davies Hill Goes Down As Council (And The Weather) Rains On Villawood's Parade (7/10/11 - P) Council votes 8 to 1 to NOT support speculative development proposal for Golf Course Hill, Woodend

Villawood Amendment Comes Before Council 28 September (23/9/11 - P) It's a make-or-break decision for Woodend, and Council. Residents are urged to be there.

MR Settlement Strategy Gets The Nod But Only From 6 Of 9 Councillors (1/8/11 - P) Late changes an improvement but not enough to make it a document of excellence. Then Council rendered the Strategy irrelevant by approving a greenfields rezoning in Woodend when the freshly adopted Settlement Strategy says no greenfields rezoning in Woodend...

When's A Public Meeting Not A Public Meeting? When It's In Macedon Ranges Shire... (15/7/11 - P) At a public meeting last Wednesday on the Settlement Strategy, Mayor tells public 'you can't speak, can't ask questions', but an emphatic community message gets through in the end

Community Meeting On Settlement Strategy, 7.30pm 13 July, Woodend: BE THERE (11/7/11 - P) Council to report back to community on its meeting with Planning Minister Matthew Guy

Woodend Betrayed By Changes To Settlement Strategy (22/5/11 - P) Revised Settlement Strategy goes before Council on Wednesday 25 May: stamp your foot Woodend - tell councillors to reject unjustified and unjustifiable changes

MRRA Makes Submission On Braemar Amendment (21/8/09 - P) It's worse than we thought...

Tacky Braemar Rezone: 1,000 Lots On Way At Woodend As 7 5 Councillors Say Yes (13/7/09 - P) Most Councillors put school's interests before the town's interests - amendment on exhibition until 14 August

1,000 Lots On Way At Woodend As 7 Councillors Move Tacky Braemar Rezone Forward (21/6/09 - P) But there's still time to ask these Councillors to put the town's interests before the school's

Last Council Meeting Of 2008 : Wednesday 17th December, 7.00 pm, Woodend Community Centre (16/12/08 - C) Go along and watch the new council at work... Braemar is on the agenda

Braemar - 'The Trojan Horse' Comes To Woodend (16/7/08 - P) Seems to be a strange confidence this proposal will get up - it's enough to make you wonder if due process is being followed

Growing Exodus From "Unhappy" Braemar As People Vote With Their Feet (7/8/07 - P) Reports keep coming of teachers walking out, and pupils and parents not happy with college's administration and direction

No Surprises - None At All - As Council Approves Braemar C45 Amendment (12/7/07 - P) On a wild, stormy night, our 'dummy' Council does it again as it gropes in the dark for a reason to exist. Was the weather an omen of the tempest yet to come over this appalling planning decision?

Braemar 1: Proposal Bobs Up Again: To Council Next Week? (21/6/07 - P) Also: MRRA meets with Braemar, cautions that Association will oppose application on planning grounds

Braemar 2: To Council Next Week? Which "Conflicted" Councillors Will Leave The Room This Time? (21/6/07 - P) So far only 1 of 3 has. Why haven't the others?

Bummer For Braemar - Instead Of Voting To Look For An Alternative Site To Golf Course Hill, Council Votes To Look For Strategic Justification (27/4/07 - P) Which means there isn't any. MRRA predicts there will be "tears before bedtime" on this one...

It's Crunch Time: Will Woodend's Iconic Golf Course Hill Survive The Development Onslaught - and Macedon Ranges Council? (17/4/07 - P) First step towards suburbia taken as application to rezone for Braemar School comes before Council on Wednesday 18th April. Many in the community say no, Council's officer report says no - but will our 'cowboy' Councillors listen?

Massive Residential Development Planned For Golf Course Hill In Woodend (27/2/06 - P) "Suburb" proposal on State significant geomorphological feature said to be linked to Braemar expansion

Council Vote Pushes Controversial “Braemar” Amendment Forward (31/3/05 - P)

Cobaw Live Game Ranch

Live Game Hunting Proposals Refused By Council (11/9/08 - P) Details are sketchy, but it seems at least 2 Councillors voted against refusing these ghastly applications

Live Game Bird Hunting Application In The Cobaws Rears Its Disgusting Head Again (10/8/08 - P) Not just one, but two applications

VCAT Strikes Out Cobaw Live Bird Hunting Range Case (28/4/07 - P) It sat on the books for over a year, and finally, finally VCAT had enough.

VCAT Refusal, Cobaw Ranges (16/5/05 – P) Live Game Hunting (Game Ranch) Application Refused On Noise Grounds.

Dogs At Romsey

Council "Yes" To Dogs In Romsey Residential Zone Disintegrates Into VCAT "No" (1/5/08 - P) Purpose of a residential zone is residential, and yapping dogs aren't compatible with residential amenity

Freeway Service Centres

South Gisborne Freeway Service Centres: Gone Away? (19/8/06 - P) North-bound site for sale

South Gisborne Freeway Service Centres Disappear As Permits For Both Expire (9/5/06 - P) South Gisborne residents win as proponent and local resident Ian Relph and La Trobe Finance withdraw applications from VCAT to 'extend' permits

VCAT President Says Residents Can Join Hearing For Freeway Service Centre Permit Extension (27/3/06 - P) Natural justice principles prevail in application for 'more time' on expired 8 year-old permit

Gisborne South Freeway Service Centre “Secret Deal” Proposal Made Public (23/12/05 – P) South Ward Councillor John Letchford goes for it, then against it

Gisborne Call Centre

Gisborne AAMI Call Centre: FOI Reveals State Govt's Pivotal Role In 'Making It Happen' (14/11/10 - P) No honour, no transparency, no process, no democracy - in fact, no stone left unturned to get approval

It All Comes Out In The Wash As State Government Finally Owns Up To Being Behind The Farcical Gisborne Call Centre 'Approval Process' (3/3/08 - P) Departmental Annual Reports gloat about overcoming "planning and development issues", but these Reports don't discuss how democracy was crushed and processes corrupted to get there. To quote a Gisborne resident's take on these Reports: 'Amazing how quickly planning requirements can disappear with a little help from your friends!!'

Gisborne Urban Design Framework Workshop: "We Know What We Don't Want" (10/11/07 - P) It's about the future, but some came just to say how much they detest the Gisborne Call Centre...

AAMI Fessus Up: Who's Been Telling Pork Pies About Gisborne Call Centre? (9/4/07 - P) AAMI said "NOT US" over and over again, but now - well, lookit at who it is!

Call Centre Building Works Choke Gisborne (10/12/06 - P) Town centre and surrounding areas become dust bowl

Gisborne Call Centre: VCAT Says Amendment 4 Is Legal, But What About The Original Permit? (14/11/06 - P) VCAT criticizes Council processes, paves the way for costs applications against Council, and leaves the legality of the original May 2006 permit open to challenge. VCAT also says AAMI is the tenant of this 150 seat Call Centre

GISBORNE CALL CENTRE: A Complete Dog's Breakfast - Council 'Gets Out Of Jail' As VCAT Upholds Council's Application To Strike Out Objectors' Appeal (31/10/06 - P) Council lifts 'backflip' to an art form as it again takes legal action against residents. What the hell is happening with this Council - whose side is it on, and why is it spending ratepayers' money to attack ratepayers?

Gisborne Call Centre Fiasco Goes To VCAT As Objectors' Lodge Review Application (21/10/06 - P) Opens door for other people affected by but not notified of the proposal to climb on board after only 3 properties given notice of massive proposal

Is Council About To 'Come A Gutser' As A Fatal Flaw In The Original Gisborne Call Centre Permit Is Exposed? Permit Under Formal Legal Challenge - Applicant Could Be Forced To Start Again (30/9/06 - P) But no sense of danger as "back-flip with pike and double-twist" by Crs. Letchford and Relph ensures Mayor's rescission motion gets up and the trail of Council blunders continues.

Gisborne Call Centre Shambles: Shock As Five Councillors Say They've Had Enough, Developer Told "If You Want More, It's Back To The Drawing Board: Put In A New Application And Consult" (17/9/06 - P) As the developers submit Amendment No. 4, Cr. Tom Gyorffy says none of the permits issued for the Call Centre are valid and it's time to see some proper processes, including consulting the community.

Cr. John Letchford Says 'Put The Gisborne Call Centre In The Gisborne Industrial Estate' (12/9/06 - P) Sounds easy, until you look at the planning scheme...

Dong!!!! Macedon Ranges' Council Vote Restricts Gisborne Call Centre To 80 People On Site (28/8/06 - P) The soap opera continues: will the 'tenant' that Council has bent over backwards to please accept this latest move?

Three Storey Gisborne Call Centre: No Community Consultation, And Now, Is The Permit Legal? (19/8/06 - P) Is a permit really a permit if it's not approved in accordance with the rules?

Councillors Walk Out As 'Recycleds' Revert To Type On Gisborne Call Centre: Door Slammed On Community - And Process (31/7/06 - P) 'Behind closed doors' is back with a vengeance but Crs. Gyorffy and Guthrie say they weren't going there

Gisborne Call Centre Approval Rushed Through By Council (30/5/06 - P) Shh! Don't tell anyone the traffic crush in Gisborne is about to get worse - it's Council's little secret.

Resorts Macedon Lodge & Training Track

More Drama - And Arrogance And Environmental Damage - As Macedon Lodge Defies Department's "Don't Do It" (28/7/08 - P) Kangaroos run off property onto road. Is Macedon Lodge the "neighbour from Hell"? Should they go?

Macedon Lodge Case Flares Again As More Works Are Done - Contrary To VCAT Order, Says Council (20/11/07 - P) Macedon Ranges Council asks VCAT to find owners in contempt

VCAT Issues Order That Council Can Enter Macedon Lodge To Inspect Property (20/9/07 - P) No agreement reached between parties so VCAT decided - in Council's favour

Environmental Disaster, And Arrogance, At Macedon Lodge As "Freeway" Scale Earthworks Continue (6/9/07 - P) Early signs are that a 2 day VCAT hearing supports partial stop-work

Environmental Disaster, And Arrogance, At Macedon Lodge As "Freeway" Scale Earthworks Continue (3/9/07 - P) New ownership ignores repeated Council orders to stop illegally bulldozing the property

Zero Stars For Council As VCAT Says No To Giant 'Six-Star' Macedon Lodge Resort : It's Prohibited (9/4/07 - P) Even though most of Macedon Ranges' Councillors (and Planning Manager) said it was a great idea, VCAT says this resort proposal is not only prohibited but not good enough to go ahead.

Macedon Lodge Resort Gets Nod: Call It Existing Use, Or Ancillary, Or Ancillary To Ancillary, But Don't Mention 'Prohibited' (20/6/06 - P) 4 Councillors go for converted stables being a '6 star' hotel... whatever that is.

Macedon Lodge Up For Decision Next Wednesday (14 June)? (10/6/06 - P) What should be a prohibited development lives on and, as always, is likely to be seen as a 'good idea' by most of our Councillors - so what if it's in a drinking water catchment?

Macedon Lodge Proposal Is Back As Residential Hotel And Restaurant (28/3/06 - P) Blunder in Amendment C48 allows permit application in Rural Conservation Zone

UPDATE Macedon Lodge: Mega Development Proposal Pales As Property Is Put On The Market (29/9/05 – P) But will it fade completely away?

Macedon Lodge: 29 Houses, A Conference Centre and Assorted ‘Ancillaries’ In A Mount Macedon Water Catchment (10/8/05 – SP) Another ‘fast-tracking’ application for over-development that could be stopped in its tracks by the Minister for Planning? Get your objections in…

Resorts Lawson Road Macedon

Yipes! Not Another "Macedon" Resort Application? (15/8/06 - P) Here we go again. More cabins and another restaurant proposed in a drinking water catchment, this time in Lawson Road, Macedon on the 'banks' of Rosslynne Reservoir - people are supposed to drink the water that comes off this unsewered property

Restaurants Clock and Beaver, Macedon

MRRS Candidate Lodges Planning Application For Huge Expansion Of Clock and Beaver Restaurant In Macedon (16/12/08 - P) A similar application this year didn't fly before the election - this time it's Wiedermann - will it now?

Restaurants McDonalds Gisborne

Echoes Of AAMI Call Centre Fiasco As Council Falls Over Maccas In Gisborne (13/4/11- P) Rubbish process and rubbish result:10,693 objections weren't enough to put community - and competition - first

"Say No 2 Maccas" Petition A Breath-Taking Result (2/11/10 - P) Despite massive community opposition, Maccas is still try to buy its way into Gisborne with promises of a community cash-splash - as you do

"Say No 2 Maccas" Rally, Saturday 23 October, Gisborne (23/10/10 - P) Objecting to Maccas is about the same as saying "no" to suburbia, isn't it?

Retirement Villages Macedon House, Gisborne

Macedon House (People First) Proposal In Gisborne Raises Its Ugly Head Again (15/7/10 - P) Seems silliness just doesn't go away

Movement At Macedon House, But Which Way: Viculus Ltd Takes Over 'Retirement Village' at Gisborne? (16/12/08 - P) Saga also sees former high profile directors of People First Living 'jump ship', including John Hewson

More About Macedon House (6/7/08 - P) Seems Dr. John Hewson (10%), Mr. Doug Moran (10%) and Mr. Ted Sent (80%) are key players

Gisborne's Macedon House Retirement Village Raises Its Ugly Head Again (13/6/07 - P) On the comeback trail, with Melbourne Water's blessing we hear...

Gisborne's Macedon House: Application In Tatters But Council Says So What - Send It To An Amendment, Let An Independent Panel Sort It Out (17/9/06 - P) Outrage as developers address Council but Mayor says objectors can't

Gisborne Residents Start To Shift In The Saddle As Macedon House Retirement Village Rides Again (15/8/06 - P) But an over-development is an over-development no matter how prettily it's packaged...

They're Back! Macedon House Retirement Village Meeting This Thursday (August 10) In Gisborne (7/8/06 - P) Like the search for the Holy Grail, the quest to put a retirement village on a floodplain continues even though it's prohibited by the planning scheme.

It's Official: Council Says 'No' To Macedon House (18/3/06 - P) But it's not over yet...

Macedon House, Gisborne (25/2/06 - P) State heritage listing: hearing postponed

Macedon House – Melbourne Water Says No, Then Changes Its Mind (11/2/06 – P) Shock as referral authority ‘thinks again’ about whether 2.5 metres of floodwater knocks out retirement village proposal on floodplain

Macedon House Retirement Village – Melbourne Water Says “NO” (29/1/06 – P) It should now be all over, Red Rover, but is it?

Heritage Victoria Wants Submissions on Macedon House by 7th January (23/12/05 – P) Call for you to support heritage protection for Gisborne icon

Macedon House Meeting Confirms Flooding Problems Plague Site (23/12/05 – P) Objectors report developers remain confident

Call For Residents To Attend Macedon House Meeting And Make Submissions For Part Demolition (14/12/05 – P) Developer Calls Meeting For Tuesday 20th December and Heritage Victoria calls for submissions on part demolition of Macedon House within 21 days

Macedon House Development On The Table Again (23/11/05 – P) Plans in Gisborne this week

UPDATE 11 Gisborne’s Heritage “Macedon House” (29/9/05 – P) Council decides behind closed doors not to accept developer’s offer

Gisborne’s Heritage “Macedon House” Makes It! (20/9/05 – P) Call for public submissions in support (by November 16th) as Heritage Victoria recommends Macedon House be included on the State Heritage Register.

Council To Look At Macedon House at Wednesday’s 14^th September Planning Committee Meeting (12/9/05 – P) But it will all be done behind closed doors

UPDATE 10 Gisborne’s Heritage “Macedon House” To Be Bulldozed? (2/9/05 – P) Latest update from “Save Macedon House Coalition”

UPDATE 9 Macedon House: Progress Report (31/7/05 – P) 37 objections and counting – keep those objections coming!

UPDATE 8 Macedon House: Heritage Victoria Investigates (31/7/05 – P) A little breathing space – for now (keep those objections going!)

UPDATE 7 (28/7/05 – P) Macedon House: Leader Newspaper Asks “Should Council Give Rotary Park Up For Development In Return For Macedon House?” Have your say NOW

UPDATE 6 (21/7/05 – P) Are Developers Trying To Do Deal With Council – Give Us Public Land Instead? The Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls, could stop this…

UPDATE 5 (21/7/05 – P) Get your objection in NOW

UPDATE 4 (21/7/05 – P) Developer Disputes Age of House Does it matter?

Proposal to Demolish Macedon House Makes State News (11/7/05 - P) Community set to fight back

Gisborne’s Heritage “Macedon House” To Be Bulldozed? More planning lunacy as 1840’s building is to be demolished in application for…. what else: another retirement village! Update 3 (8/7/05 – P) Application for Retirement Village advertised – Get those objections in!

Gisborne’s Heritage “Macedon House” To Be Bulldozed? (27/6/05 - P) More planning lunacy as 1840’s building is to be demolished in application for…. what else: another retirement village!

Retirement Villages 5 Storey, Gisborne

Residents Jubilant As Five Storey Retirement Village in Gisborne Bites The Dust - For Now (23/11/06 - P) Application to review Council's 2005 refusal finally withdrawn by developers.

5 (FIVE) Storey Retirement Village In Gisborne Finally Goes To VCAT Hearing (12/9/06 - P) Council refused this application almost a year ago and a VCAT application, lodged by the developers, has been hanging over objectors' heads pretty much ever since

Five Storey Retirement Village In Gisborne: VCAT Hearing To Be Put Off Six Months? (9/5/06 - P) The VCAT hearing for this gargantuan proposal on the Jacksons Creek escarpment in Gisborne is due within a week Or is it?

5 Storey Proposal In Gisborne “Excellent” Says Cr. Henry Bleeck (15/10/05 – P) Same Councillor says 4 houses on a lot in Romsey is ‘out of character’. Is there one rule for Gisborne, another for Romsey?

UPDATE (20/7/05 – P) Although the formal notice and exhibition period is over for this application, residents can still make a submission. See plans

Is It Mitcham or Macedon Ranges? High Rise Proposed In Gisborne (26/5/05 - P): An application has now been lodged with Council for a 5 storey retirement village in Gisborne. The applicant claims plans submitted to Council showing a 5 storey structure are an artist’s error, and the proposal is really for two separate structures of two and three storeys respectively.

Is It Mitcham or Macedon Ranges? ‘High Rise’ Proposed in Gisborne APPLICATION NOW IN (26/5/05 - P): 5 storey structure ‘an artist’s error’

Is It Mitcham or Macedon Ranges? ‘High Rise’ Proposed in Gisborne (12/5/05 - P) Planning lunacy continues in Macedon Ranges with an application for a five (5) storey retirement home on the Jacksons Creek escarpment ridgeline about to be lodged.

Retirement Villages Mt. Macedon Road, Woodend

VCAT "Expands" Woodend Township Boundary To Allow Retirement Village On A Rural Zoned Floodplain (17/2/07 - P) Who needs a planning scheme or a planning scheme amendment when it seems VCAT can change the planning scheme almost at will.

Woodend Retirement Village On Floodplain Goes To VCAT Today (14/10/06 - P) Locals battle to keep floodplain rural

Worry Over Slowness Of Council Processes For Notifying Objectors (9/7/06 - P) Notice of Woodend retirement village approval almost 3 weeks late

Thar She Blows! Woodend Retirement Village Gets Predicted Approval: "No Worries" Wins The Day (20/6/06 - P) "Works well" theory prevails even if retirement units are almost a metre off the ground

Woodend's Wet, Wet, Wet Retirement Village Before Council Next Wednesday (14 June) (10/6/06 - P) Will our Councillors be able to stop themselves from the tempting prospect of approving another 'good idea'? We don't think so... why change now?

Another Retirement Village On Floodplain, This Time In Woodend (29/1/06 – P) Will they never end?

No Surprises As Most Macedon Ranges’ Councillors Support Putting Retirement Village In Floodplain (Woodend) (28/4/05 – P) ‘Good idea’ and ‘lovely spot’ argument prevails

Another Dumb Council Planning Decision Coming Up? (Woodend) (27/4/05 – P) Retirement Village in Floodplain Likely To Get Nod Tonight

School At Tye Estate , Kerrie (Candlebark School)

School Proposal At Tye Estate, Kerrie: Yet Another Major Development Proposal In A Water Catchment Up For Decision (17/10/05 – P) Meanwhile we continue (and continue) to wait for Minister Hulls to introduce the new Rural Zones

Sheds

If Your Home Is Your Castle, What's Your Shed? (3/7/06 - P) Wanna buy one to live in?

Signs

VCAT Says Real Estate Advertising Sign On Freeway Exit Ramp Will Help People Find Kyneton (12/7/06 - P) Without it, there's apparently no way of knowing when you're at Kyneton

Subdivision 1005 lots , Brooking Road, Gisborne

"1000 Lotter" Subdivision At Brooking Road In Gisborne A "Goer" Again (11/10/07 - P) Even though two subdivision proposals have been knocked off at VCAT, THEY'RE BAACK - the original plans for a 105 lot subdivision, that is. VCAT has just agreed that the 2004 plans can be changed before another VCAT hearing gets underway on 11 December (amended plans to be circulated by 19 October).

Another VCAT Knockback For 800+ (previously 1005) Lot Brooking Road Subdivision Development Plan (21/6/07 - P) Residents and objectors can rightly say "cop that" after developers told them it was a done deal, VCAT would decide and residents wouldn't have any say

7 To 1 Vote Sees Council Knock Back 876 Lot Subdivision Development Plan In Gisborne (13/8/06 - P) Cr. Henry Bleeck says other residents are paying for Gisborne pool so bring on 'as much as' development in Gisborne

876 Lot Subdivision Development Plan In Gisborne Goes Before Council On Wednesday August 9 - Without Any Community Consultation (7/8/06 - P) Uproar in Gisborne as Council shuts out community twice in two weeks on major development approvals that affect the whole town.

Alert To Gisborne Residents: The 1,005 Lot Subdivision Returns As An 876 Lot Subdivision (31/7/06 - P) Developers will hold a meeting with invitees tomorrow night (1 August) at the Mechanics Institute

VCAT Rejects 1005 Lot Subdivision Development Plan Proposal In Gisborne (19/4/06 - P) Previous Council's refusal upheld, but it seems to depend on who you get

1005 Lot Development Plan Rejected By Council (15/12/05 – P) Gisborne ODP principles and community consultation win the day

Confused (Angry) Gisborne Residents Told VCAT Will Decide 1,005 Lot Development Plan (24/10/05 – P) Victoria’s ‘pro-development’ planning system strikes again as community left feeling powerless

Information Session on 1,005 Lot Proposal in Gisborne on 19^th October (17/10/05 – P) Have your say

Development Explodes In Gisborne (28/8/05 – P) Application For 2 Lots Becomes A Development Plan for 1,005 Lots

Subdivision Helensville, Gisborne

'Recycled' Councillors Blame Residents For Disastrous Development At Helensville (19/4/06 - P) Cowardly but not necessarily unexpected finger-pointing as Councillors ignore the role they played

Subdivision, Gisborne

Roll Up, Roll Up - Get Your Subdivision Now. Macedon Ranges Council Is Giving Away Free Lots!!! (28/4/07 - P) Mmm... this one had almost everything - muddled meeting process (again), changing votes, outlandish statements, a couple of bombshells, and of course the usual 'blame someone else" and "throw the planning scheme out the window" events - and an old-fashioned land deal

Subdivision, Kyneton

Some Outrageous Moves At Council Meeting 16 December Woodend: ALERT TO ALL RESIDENTS - It's A Full Agenda. And We Do Mean "Agenda". (13/12/15 - C) Structure Plan amendments, yet another new amendment (C109), Daly Nature Reserve, a massive subdivision proposal in Kyneton, Hanging Rock Environment Mgt Plan... Council & Councillor Performances File

Subdivision 181 lot Sutherlands Road, Riddells Creek

VCAT Gives Developer Some Small Blocks in 181 Lot Subdivision At Riddells Creek (3/7/06 - P) Developer loses a couple of lots from the 181 proposed, but are we really surprised VCAT overturned Council's refusal and approved tight development in a 'half acre lot' area?

Subdivision 4 lot Gordon Crescent, Romsey

It's Official: VCAT Says Romsey Gets Metro Area's Development Spillover - Make That Macedon Ranges Too (31/7/06 - SP) Most of us have known for some time that metropolitan development is leapfrogging over Green Wedges into Macedon Ranges, and now, at last, it's in writing - and because the State government refuses to stop it, it looks set to continue, if this decision is anything to go by

Cr. John Letchford: Is He Breaking Promises - And Hearts? Click here to see the Letchford File (10/3/06 - C) MRRA is confused by the mixed messages John is sending

Supermarket, Gisborne

Is Parking Just A Bit Too ‘Squeezy’ at Coles? (31/5/05 - P) MRRA test drives Gisborne’s new supermarket.

Supermarket, Riddells Creek GRR File

Getting Riddell Right [GRR]: Not-To-Be-Missed Arts Fundraiser At Dromkeen Homestead, November 15, 4.00pm (10/11/14 - CC) GRR prepares for VCAT case against supermarket - your support warmly welcomed

From Getting Riddell Right "Trivia Night" 5 July (13/7/14 - CC) Splendid results but that's no surprise from GRR

Getting Riddell Right "Trivia Night" Fundraiser For VCAT Supermarket Case (2/7/14 - CC) Saturday July 5, Riddells Creek Hotel : IF YOU CARE, BE THERE!

Getting Riddell Right Gets VCAT Determination Overturned By Supreme Court (22/5/14 - P) The GRR mob were definitely the 'mouse that roared'

How, And Why, Was The Riddells Creek Supermarket Rescission Motion Refused? (23/4/13-RA-P) Is Council picking and choosing process to favour some over others? Is there even a "process" for rescission motions in Macedon Ranges anymore?

"Getting Riddell Right": Public Meeting In Riddells Creek, Mechanics Hall, Wednesday 10th April 2013 (9/4/13-RA - P) Meeting to set up committee structure to fundraise for the VCAT appeal against the Supermarket/Shops proposal

Supermarket, Woodend

Coles "Consults" Woodend About New Petrol Station and Convenience Store On Narrow Steep Land At Town Entry (13/7/14 - P) Oh dear - couple this squeezy with the squeezy supermarket, and what a mess Coles is making of Woodend's railway precinct and town entry

Woodend Supermarket Decision Deferred (15/7/10 - P) There are plenty of issues. Is anyone thinking square peg in round hole?

Squeeze, Destructive Safeway Supermarket Takes Over Woodend Railway Area, Wreckers' Ball On Way (24/11/08 - P) The Safeway application: a fairly perfect example of (bad) development that takes away more than it gives. A whole precinct of the town's rural character will be lost if this proposal goes ahead...

Is Supermarket Proposal Set To Demolish Woodend’s Railway Precinct? (8/7/05 – P) Reports of impending supermarket and petrol station application strengthen.

Telecommunications

Optus Applies For 36m Mobile Phone Monopole On Hill Next To Hanging Rock (19/11/09 - P) Improves telecommunications, but hey, what about impacts on a national if not international icon and landscape?

Units, Gisborne

Another Brick In The Suburban Wall As Gisborne Gets 10 Dwellings To The Acre In Quiet, Rural Stephens St (14/10/08 - P) If it's OK by ResCode, it's OK by us, say VCAT

Suburbia Strikes Again In Gisborne - Application For More You-Beaut Units Out In Woop-Woop (30/9/06 - P) A plea for support from Gisborne residents as the planning battle lines are drawn up again.

Units, Kyneton

VCAT Says NO To 3 Two-Storey Units In Kyneton (29/5/07 - P) Why? It doesn't fit with the neighbourhood character. Eat your heart out, other towns...

Council Buckles To Developer Pressure For Units In Kyneton (14/6/05 – P) Too many, too high, say objectors. Too bad, say Councillors. Update 1 (8/7/05 – P) Kyneton Unit Approval Off To VCAT: Objectors to defend neighbourhood character

Council Buckles To Developer Pressure For Units In Kyneton (14/6/05 – P) Too many, too high, say objectors. Too bad, say Councillors.

Units, Macedon

Mammoth Development Proposal At Macedon (16/12/14 - P) VCAT hearing extended

Macedon Community Asks For Support With VCAT Case Costs Against Victoria Street Over-Development Application (1/10/14 - P) Every little bit will count, and with the community appearing to be doing all the heavy lifting in this case, please help residents to Keep The Village Feel, if you can

Gross Over Development Proposal Turns Extreme-Fire-Risk Macedon Into Downtown Melbourne (22/5/14 - P) 4 shops, a restaurant, and 18 apartments on 3000 square metres of prime business land

Units, Romsey

Cr. Geoff Neil Pleads For Vote To Stop Medium Density In Romsey (17/4/07 - P) In the flip of a lip, the man who said the planning scheme's rural policies were "cobblers" begs for support for non-existent policy to save Romsey

Units, Woodend

20 Two Storey Units On A Floodplain In Woodend - Almost 1,000 Sign Petition Saying 'No' (2/11/10 - P) This one is just so outrageous it's laughable...

7 or 8 Towering Units Proposed Smack Dab In The Middle Of Woodend (10/11/07 - P) After "giving" Gisborne Helensville and the Call Centre, it seems designer Bill Jacobs is moving into Woodend

Woodend Units: Refused by Council But Off To VCAT (26/5/05 – P) Applicant now running with three versions of proposal.

Unlawful Riding School, Kyneton

Council Gives Us More ‘Good Idea’, ‘Nice Spot’ and ‘Lovely People’ Planning (16/8/05 – P) Councillors Marty Evans and Donna Petrovich moved and seconded the motion to ratify illegal commercial horse use.

Planning Backlash

Events

Kelvin Thompson Asks Is Melbourne @ 5 Million A Better City Than Melbourne @ 4 Million? (14/11/10 - SG) Speech for Planning Backlash's population debate now available.

Community Protest: Say No To The Tunnel And Travancore Development May 25 (1/5/08 - SG) Community groups unite in Flemington to fight Eddington Tunnel.

Southern Peninsula Rural Protection Group Call For Support To Protect Mornington's Green Wedge (21/10/06 - P) It's not just Macedon Ranges under attack

PLANNING BACKLASH Report On The Great Melbourne 2030 Debate (24/9/06 - P) People get 'hot' about losing things we value - is anybody listening, can we do it better?

Planning Backlash Asks For State-Wide Help To Save Trees At Kew Cottages (8/9/06 - P) "Vote Today" - It only takes 3 clicks to send a message to Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls

Stop Press: DSE Head In Planning Debate Thursday 7 September (28/8/06 - P) Bob Birrell v Lyndsay Nielson on Urban Consolidation (read: 'squashing them in') and Melbourne 2030

PLANNING BACKLASH: North Brighton Residents' Action Group Calls Public Meeting 3 July (3/7/06 - P) NBRAG asks "Does the term ‘Subject to Council Approval’ in fact mean ‘Subject to V.C.A.T. Approval’?" and calls on Bayside residents to attend the meeting and "DECIDE HOW YOU WILL VOTE IN NOVEMBER"

"VCAT Exposed" : June 8 Forum Looks At Tribunal's Performance (23/5/06 - SP) Is VCAT acting as a de facto planning authority?

More Calls For Support From Collingwood Action Group Over Hulls' Banco Approval (1/3/06 - CCE) Public Rally This Saturday

Melbourne 2030 Strikes Again: Call For Support From Collingwood Residents (25/2/06 - SP) Objectors plan 4th March meeting to send message to State government that 2030 outcomes aren't what the people want

Group Activities

Protest Rally, Parliament House Steps, Tuesday 24 November, 12.30pm (19/11/09 - P) Expansion of Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundary, destruction of Green Wedges and GAIC tax

Restore Residents' Rights Protest Rally Gets Up Development Industry's Nose (21/6/09 - P) Yeehaa - success!

Planning Backlash Convenor Mary Drost Recognised With Honour Award (21/2/09 - P) Boroondara Council says "Outstanding Community Service"

Blog On! Planning Backlash Launches WWW.MARVELLOUS MELBOURNE.ORG (24/6/08 - P) Planning Backlash, and the thousands of people who stand behind it, gets a voice

Deliver On Your Promises, Planning Backlash Tells State Government (16/7/08 - P) Ah... we can relate to that, say Macedon Ranges' residents - see also "The Madden Interview"

Call For Action: Planning Backlash Calls Public Meeting About New Residential Zones Removing Residents Rights To Object To Planning Applications July 6. (24/6/08 - P) Planning Backlash begins to get organized to fight the increasingly dark forces that increasingly dictate what happens in Victoria. It is time for community people to send a message to the State Government to take its hand off our rights

Planning Backlash Delegation Meets with Planning Minister, Justin Madden (29/5/07 - P) PB tells Minister that Melbourne 2030 is not what Labor said would happen, is not working for residents

Planning Backlash Affiliates Successful At 2008 Council Elections (21/2/09 - C) Well done!

Speeches and Photos From October 15 Rally At Steve Bracks' Office (14/11/06 - P) Now available

PLANNING BACKLASH Rally At Steve Bracks' Electoral Office, Williamstown, October 15th (30/9/06 - SP) Not happy at all, Steve!

"Backlash" Petition - Sign Up Now For Planning Changes! (3/7/06 - SP) Planning Backlash petition asks the State Legislative Assembly for big changes to how planning operates in Victoria

PLANNING BACKLASH Plans Next Steps In Campaign Strategy (23/5/06 - SP) Lives up to pledge that rally at Parliament House was 'just the beginning'

PLANNING BACKLASH See Speech Given At Recent Rally By Sydney SOS Chief - Tony Recsei (15/5/06 - SP) "Our parliamentary representatives must not be hostage to vested interests or dogmatic ideologs. We have to show them that unless they listen to us they will feel pain at the ballot box."

PLANNING BACKLASH: People Fed Up With Victoria's Planning System Rally - "Concrete State" (9/5/06 - SP) Launch of Planning Backlash at Parliament House on May 3 attracts around 200 representatives of groups from Melbourne and rural Victoria. "This is only the beginning" say rally organisers.

Planning, Council

Guidelines, Industrial

Council's Industrial Design Guidelines Out For Public Comment Until 7 January (23/12/10 - P) New standards for industrial areas, and not before time

Guidelines, Residential Subdivision

UPDATE Adoption of Residential Subdivision Guidelines (27/6/05 - P) Council puts off decision until next Planning Committee meeting. UPDATE 1 (18/7/05 – P) Council again defers adoption to consider overlooked submission

Adoption of Residential Subdivision Guidelines (27/6/05 - P) Council puts off decision until next Planning Committee meeting.

Council’s Residential Development Guidelines Up For Public Comment Until 6th June (9/5/05 - P) Have your say about what standards you want developers to deliver.

Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) Review

Council Will Put Planning Scheme Review Document Out For Community Comment (7/8/07 - P) Report to Planning Minister assesses how MSS and Local Policies are working, recommends changes

Macedon Ranges Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) On Exhibition (8/7/05 – P) Most critical part of planning scheme – YOU MUST GET INVOLVED IN THIS. UPDATE 1 (18/7/05 – P) Council calls for comment on what you think is missing from the MSS (‘Strategic Gap Analysis’)

Macedon Ranges Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) On Exhibition (8/7/05 – P) Most critical part of planning scheme – YOU MUST GET INVOLVED IN THIS!

Outline Development Plan ((ODP) - Gisborne

Decision On Gisborne ODP Deferred - Unanimously! (6/10/08 - P) span class="black">HHigh level of difficulty in major backflip to 9-0 vote on Gisborne ODP rescission motion from 5-4 the previous week

Alarm Bells As The ODP Plan i>You Weren't Told About Tries To Push A Suburban Future On Gisborne (31/8/08 - P) Residents not consulted about 180 degree metropolitan shift for Gisborne

Gisborne ODP Decision At Special Council Meeting, Wednesday 1 October in Kyneton, 7pm (29/9/08 - SP) Councillors will decide whether Amendment C59 will move forward to a Panel.

C59 Amendment For Gisborne Outline Development Plan (ODP) Is On Exhibition (16/7/08 - P) Submissions to be in by 11 August

More Info About Gisborne Outline Development Plan (ODP) (29/5/07 - P) But why do we have to find out what's going on from VCAT?

Roll Up, Roll Up - Get Your Subdivision Now. Macedon Ranges Council Is Giving Away Free LLots!!! (28/4/07 - P) Mmm... this one had almost everything - muddled meeting process (again), changing votes, outlandish statements, a couple of bombshells, and of course the usual 'blame someone else" and "throw the planning scheme out the window" events - and an old-fashioned land deal

Gisborne ODP Finally, Finally Moves To An Amendment To Put It Into The Planning Scheme (17/2/07 - P) span class="black">Almost 3 years after the project was first put up by the State government, Gisborne ODP is now Amendment C59

Final Gisborne Outline Development Plan Pushes Privately-Owned Golf Course Inside Town Boundary (19/4/06 - P) The golf course isn't inside the town boundary now, so how did it get included when land inside the boundary is earmarked for residential development?

Gisborne Outline Development Plan Goes Forward To Amendment (28/3/06 - P) Copies of the finalised draft now available

UPDATE Time For Input Into Gisborne ODP Extended (31/7/05 – P) 8^th August is new date for submissions to be in

Gisborne Outline Development Plan Finally On Exhibition (8/7/05 – P) Series of ODP displays: Submissions close 29 July

Gisborne Outline Development Plan Still Uncertain (14/6/05 - P) Just what’s going on with the Gisborne ODP?

Gisborne Outline Development Plan (ODP) (31/5/05 - P) Public exhibition of ODP put off again.

Gisborne Outline Development Plan (ODP) Hits A Hurdle? (16/5/05 - P) Council puts off exhibiting the plan for Gisborne’s future.

Residents Feel Left Out of Gisborne Outline Development Plan Consultation (18/4/05 - P)

Latest Gisborne ODP Forum: Open House, Wednesday 30 March (29/3/05 - P)

Outline Development Plan ((ODP) - Kyneton See also Amendments C107, C98, C99, C100

Kyneton and Romsey Outline Development Plans (ODPs) Move - But Is It In A Forward Direction? (17/2/07 - P) Ward Councillors and the Mayor will work on submissions

Romsey and Kyneton Outline Development Plans On Exhibition Until November 24 (31/10/06 - P) Alert to residents: these plans will shape the future of the towns for the next 20 years so have your say!

Kyneton and Romsey Outline Development Plan Consultation Continues On Saturday 17^th December (15/12/05 – P) Residents are urged to get involved

Kyneton Outline Development Plan (ODP) Consultation Begins (7/8/05 – P) Two workshops to be held, starting 18^th August

Outline Development Plan ((ODP) - Riddells Creek See also Amendments C107, C98, C99, C100

Draft Riddells Creek Structure Plan & Character Study On Exhibition Until 31 May & 'Drop In' Session 20 May (6/5/13 - RA - P) Have your say, Riddells Creek, and say it plainly

Council Approves Draft Riddells Creek Structure Plan To Go On Exhibition - Watch For It (23/4/13-RA-P) It's a plan for the next 30 years, and feedback on it from Riddell residents is essential

Riddells Creek Structure Plan Issues Paper - Community Comment By August 3 (28/7/12 - P) Have your say on what's important to Riddells Creek's future and what the plan should address

Riddells Creek Outline Development Plan Consultation Kicks Off 25 & 29 November (24/11/08 - P) Workshops for strategic planning framework for future residential, commercial and industrial growth of Riddell/span>

Outline Development Plan (ODP) - Romsey

Romsey Outline Development Plan [ODP] - Submissions In By June 5 (30/5/09 - P) There are changes here that beg for community objections - for starters, why is lovely, little Romsey down to become an industrial town? Who or what is driving this gob-smacking proposal?

Kyneton and Romsey Outline Development Plans (ODPs) Move - But Is It In A Forward Direction? (17/2/07 - P) Ward Councillors and the Mayor will work on submissions

Romsey and Kyneton Outline Development Plans On Exhibition Until November 24 (31/10/06 - P) Alert to residents: these plans will shape the future of the towns for the next 20 years so have your say!

Kyneton and Romsey Outline Development Plan Consultation Continues On Saturday 17^th December (15/12/05 – P) Residents are urged to get involved

Romsey Outline Development Plan (ODP) Consultation Begins Thursday August 11^th (10/8/05 – P) Urgent alert to Romsey residents

Outline Development Plan (ODP / Structure Plan) - Woodend See also Amendments C107, C98, C99, C100

Community Disbelief As Cr. John Letchford Lodges Rescission Motion To Overturn Council's Adoption Of The Woodend Structure Plan (3/6/14 - C) The South Ward Councillor apparently thinks Woodend needs new greenfields rezoning for more growth. That's not what the Plan, West ward councillors, the community and others say, but 'SNAP', it is what Villawood says. So whose interests is Cr. Letchford representing?

Council Stabs The Woodend Structure Plan - And Community - In The Back (23/4/13-RA-P) span class="black">As someone pointed out at the 18 April meeting, the Woodend community isn't stupid, don't treat it as if it is... Comments on the Discussion Paper can be made until 30 April / Community meeting 29 April

'Settle Woodend' Group Holds Community Meeting On Woodend Structure Plan And Amendment C84 (23/4/13-RA-P) Discussions about these documents and making submissions on them: Monday 29 April

Woodend Town Structure Plan Workshop: 18 April 7.00pm Community Centre (9/4/13-RA-P) Also download a Discussion Paper about the Structure Plan

Woodend Structure Plan Issues Paper - Community Comment By August 3 (28/7/12 - P) Have your say on what's important to Woodend's future and what the town's plan should address

Village Studies Macedon and Mt. Macedon

Mt. Macedon Village Centre Study - Adoption Of Study And Subsequent Amendment Deferred Until More Work And Consultation Done (24/12/14 - P) This time, unusually, 5 Councillors put a spoke in the Council's usual pattern of token consultation and speed-of-light preparation of a usually crappy planning scheme amendment Macedon/Mt Macedon File

Overlays Development Plan Overlay (DPO)

Terrible Report Card For Macedon Ranges Council As VCAT Awards $4,500 Costs Against It (9/4/07 - P) A reasonable Council wouldn't have done it, says VCAT. Council comes a cropper and cops a caning - fundamental errors become yet another cost to this community.

Overlays Macedon Restructure Overlay 2012

Macedon / Mt. Macedon Restructure Overlay: Council Fail #2 - Never Take 'No' For An Answer (13/5/12 - P) MRRA message to community: Say "NO' Louder - Submissions close May 16

The Great 2012 Macedon/Mt. Macedon Restructure Overlay Fail (18/3/12 - P) Council not open and honest as ratepayers bank-roll new development opportunities for the few. Why is Council even going there, and why are we paying for it?

Overlays Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO)

Consultation Begins On Changes To Wildfire Management Overlay (28/3/06 - P) Check out dates and times for Amendment C26 meetings for your chance to comment

Are We About To Be Burnt By New Wildfire Management Overlays? (28/7/05 – P) How can “extreme fire risk areas” simply disappear?

Permit Activity Reports

Planning Permit Activity In Victoria 2006-2007 Annual Report Now Out (11/3/08 - P) Figures for Macedon Ranges up on last year: 10% increase in approvals, 2% drop in refusals confirms this Council's 'gotta have it' attitude to development

2004/2005 Planning Permit Activity Report Now Out (9/4/07 - P) In 2004/05, planning permit applications in Macedon Ranges fell by 21% from 2003/04 (918 to 729) but that still means Macedon Ranges is a runner-up in the development stakes only to major rural cities and the metro area

Permit Register Program: Greenlight

Council "Greenlight" Program - Internet Planning Permit Register - Now Operational (3/9/06 - P) Check current and latest planning permit applications on-line

Planning Committee meetings

Planning Goes Backward As Council Abandons Planning Committee Meetings (22/5/11- C) Less accessibility, less light, less accountability is a recipe for returning to the dark days of the past

Policy, Cash In Lieu of Car Parking

Council Adopts Cash-In-Lieu Of Parking Policy Even Though It Isn't (Legally) Worth The Paper Its Written On (17/9/06 - P) But will it end up costing residents more than it 'earns'?

MRRA Says Council's Cash-In-Lieu of Parking Policy Steps Outside What's Possible (19/8/06 - P) Do the work needed before going down this path

Council's "Cash-In-Lieu Of Parking" Policy Up For Comment Until 11 August (16/7/06 - P) Who's kidding who? After years of abysmal, ad hoc Council decisions on parking issues, shouldn't the 'House Full' sign go up in Kyneton and Gisborne right now? Residents should have some fun with this one...

Policy, Council Rural Dwellings & Subdivision

Council's 'Rural Policy' Starts Its Downward Slide? (16/7/06 - P) This one seems headed just one way

Council's "Rural Areas" Policy Out For Public Comment Until April 28 (10/3/06 - P) Go! Go! Go! Even if you don't put in a submission on the policy, send a message saying you support keeping and protecting our precious rural land - before there's none left.

Council's "Dwellings And Subdivision In Rural Areas" Policy Is Fair Enough (1/3/06 - P) MRRA says 'good job' but it could have been tougher.

Strategy, Housing

Council's Draft Housing Strategy 2007 Is Out For Comment Until December 22 (14/11/06 - C) Critically important, this hefty document identifies housing needs until 2031 but hey, when do the people get to have a say about how much growth?

Council's Draft Housing Strategy: Community Meetings This Week 12th, 14th and 17th (10/12/06 - C) Presentation will explain it all, says Council

Strategy, Rural Living See also Amendment C110

Council's Carve-It-Up Rural Living Strategy Out For (Selective) Comment (10/11/14 - P) There's a survey proposed, but only for owners of Rural Living Zoned land. MRSC website says Strategy documents are available until 12 December, but doesn't say submissions can be made, or where to send them, or have any contact details for this Strategy.

Council Puts Another Nail In Macedon Ranges' Coffin: Its Rampant Rural Living Strategy Will Destroy Significant Landscapes, Clobber Gisborne (25/10/14 - P) Council quietly takes the next step in its economic development / equine / growth agenda: a sea of houses instead of sweeping rural views to Mount Macedon as you enter the Shire from Melbourne. This couldn't happen if we had Statement of Planning Policy No 8 as State policy.

Macedon Ranges' Rural Living Strategy - Opportunity For Residents To Comment (3/3/08 - P) Download the response form here

Council's Rural Living Strategy Meetings 25th and 28th February (24/2/08 - P) Have your say, particularly if you value Macedon Ranges' rural land and want it to still be around in the future

Strategy, Settlement

Community Meeting On Settlement Strategy, 7.30pm 13 July, Woodend: BE THERE (11/7/11 - P) Council to report back to community on its meeting with Planning Minister Matthew Guy

Council's Settlement Strategy: Submissions Extended Until End Of January 2011 (23/12/10 - P) There's still time to tell them to do it again...

Macedon Ranges' Settlement Strategy Out For Consultation Until December 17th (14/11/10 - P) Don't be fooled into thinking this is either about, or good for, Macedon Ranges. And once again, all we are getting is over 477 pages of information, and crap consultation processes, just before Christmas. Now that's usually a sign something's wrong...

Public Meetings Next Week On Macedon Ranges' 'Settlement Strategy' (22/5/10 - P) If you want Macedon Ranges to stay rural, there's only one meeting to go to this year, and this is it!

Strategy, Small Towns

Small Towns Study On Exhibition Until March 1st (29/1/06 – P) Check it out – it’s your chance to comment

“Small Towns Project” Underway In Macedon Ranges: Starts Saturday 30th July (28/7/05 – P) Dates, times and places. Your chance to have a say about your special area.

Urban Design Framework

Gisborne Urban Design Framework Workshop: "We Know What We Don't Want" (10/11/07 - P) It's about the future, but some came just to say how much they detest the Gisborne Call Centre...

Workshop For Gisborne Urban Design Framework Wednesday 31 October (30/10/07 - P) Have your say on what you value about Gisborne's town centre and how you would like to see it improved

Village Centre Studies

Mt. Macedon Village Study Up For Adoption At Council Meeting, Wednesday 17th December (16/12/14 - P) But it's a study in what? No recommendations, but Council officers say Special Use rezoning to allow a 'sister' resort to the one proposed for Hanging Rock

Planning, Other Places

Apollo Bay

More Information On Councillor Sackings At Apollo Bay (14/12/07 - P) Reports from local press

Colac Otway Councillors Sacked By State Government For Objecting To Huge Development Proposal On Flood Plain (9/12/07 - P) Greed and developers 1; community and environment 0

NSW Minister For Planning

"Dead Of Night" Passing Of New Planning Act In NSW Sees Residents Lose Their Rights (6/7/08 - P) Is Victoria next?

Sydney: A World Class Planning Disaster" (31/3/08 - P) Sydneysiders begin to get organized

Save Our Suburbs (NSW) Talks Turkey About Sustainability And Planning (24/2/08 - P) This article may be focussed on Sydney, but there is definitely something in it for all of us

NSW Planning Minister Grabs Headlines: Case Of 'Not In My Backyard'? (9/7/06 - P) Is there a little 'nimby' in all of us?

Port Campbell

VCAT Says Yes To 102 Title Subdivision In Hazard Zone At Port Campbell (11/12/09 - P) "Another Cranbourne In The Making"

New Cavern Found On Port Campbell Headland (30/10/09 - P) And still they want to build the Southern Ocean Beach House there...

Port Campbell Community Group Get Help To Fight Holiday Development On Headland (29/8/09 - P) Slater and Gordon Come on board...

Port Campbell - Another Cliff Falls Down (21/6/09 - CC) And still someone thinks the headland is the place for a guesthouse

Port Campbell: Southern Ocean Beach House On Headland In Trouble As Corangamite Council Refuses Time Extension For Controversial Permit (28/3/08 - P) Council decides not enough had been done in the 2 years since the permit was approved, and the proposal did not meet new planning scheme requirements.

Port Campbell: Protected?

Planning, State

Auditor General

Auditor-General's Report On Planning Kicks Heads - Councils' and the Department's (9/6/08 - SG) Good on the Auditor General for publicizing what some of us have known (and complained) about for a long, long time

Amendments - State

Department of Planning and Community Development [DPCD] Announces More Ministerial Amendments Approved (10/10/09 - P) VC60 addresses a catch-all of issues including native veg and renewable energy, while VC58 changes residential subdivision requirements.

State Government Puts Activity Centre Zone In Planning Schemes Through Amendment VC59 (18/9/09 - P) Another piece of the government's pro-development agenda falls into place

Federal Funding Seems A Welcome Excuse For Victorian Government To Dismantle Proper And Orderly Planning (30/5/09 - P) "Tick box" planning approvals, with Councils and community left out in the cold, finally begin to kill off the notion that Victoria is a democracy with a strategically-based planning system

Building

Building Amendment Regulations 2009 (30/5/09 - SG) Call for submissions on the content of a Regulatory Impact Statement until 2 July

Call In Powers

City Of Stonnington Takes On State Government Over High-Handed Planning Call-In Powers (12/3/09 - P) Request for Ombudsman to investigate planning and building approvals

Car Parking

State Government Invites Comments On Planning Requirements For Car Parking (23/9/11 - P) Submissions close 7 October

Centralization

Like The Proverbial Bad Smell, DACs Keep Hanging Around (30/10/09 - P) The dreaded Development Assessment Committees are on their way back to the Upper House - email your support for a "NO" outcome to Opposition members

Development Assessment Committees [DACs] That Disempower Councils and Communities Are Coming Closer (30/5/09 - P) Shadow Minister For Planning, Matthew Guy, explains how DACs will impact on your Council

Victorian State Government Proposes To Reduce Councils' Planning Powers (7/8/07 - SG) Govt puts toe in water to test reaction to adopting South Australia's "centralized" planning decisions model. MRRA says, hopeless as some Councils may be on planning, this definitely isn't the way to go.

Contaminated Land

Issues Paper Out For Comment On Planning Controls For Contaminated Land (23/9/11 - P) Submissions close 1 November

Department Notices

Latest Notices From Department Of Planning And Community Development (11/7/11 - P) New Practice Note and Red Dot Decision at VCAT, historic Planning Schemes available online

Latest Notices From The Department Of Planning And Community Development (23/12/09 - P) Announcements, Changes, Reports

Department Of Planning Changes Its Contact Details For General Planning Enquiries (21/2/09 - P) But why is the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development [DIIRD] involved?

Development Assessment Committees [DACs]

Dastardly DACs Go Through Upper House With Only Greens And DLP Opposed (19/11/09 - P) Read it and weep

DACs Are Back! (10/10/09 - P) Dreaded "rights-remover" legislation touted to come back to the Upper House next Tuesday (13th)

Development Assessment Committee [DACs] Debate Deferred Until 13 October (18/9/09 - P) Get your emails and messages to Upper House opposition members today - this legislation just can't go through! Also, Joanne Duncan's "bizarre" comments on population growth.

MAY DAY! MAY DAY! State Government Puts Gun To Opposition's Head LATEST - Government will try to rush this though the Upper House this afternoon (17/9/09) (17/9/09 - SG) Compromise on Development Assessment Committees [DACs] or go to an election

Development Assessment Committees' Legislation Stopped In Upper House (21/6/09 - P) 'Where to from here' depends on whether government finds a way around needing parliament's consent to change the law

Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)

California Has BALLS: It's Pretty Simple - No Water, No Development!!! (9/6/08 - E) Ooohh, would that we did... How soon can Arnie make it to Victoria?

State Government Extends 5-Star Energy Efficiency To Residential Renovations (29/10/07 - P) Effective from May next year

EES Review

State Government Now Moves To 'Review' Environmental Effects Statement [EES] Act (22/5/10 - SG) Another attempt to massage law to fit an agenda?

Exemptions - Planning

Planning Minister Gives Minister For Skills And Workforce Participation Carte Blanche On Planning (23/12/09 - SG) New order says Minister for Skills and Workforce doesn't have to comply with planning schemes

Guidelines

Updated Guidelines For Planning Permits In Open Potable Catchments (30/5/09 - P) Some improvements at last

Height Controls

State Government Varies Interim Height Controls For Some Metro Councils (2/4/09 - SG) Some extended, some deleted, some changed... It all needs a good checking out for those affected by these decisions

Helicopter Landing Sites

Arguments For & Against: Changes Proposed To Allow Helicopter Landing Sites Without A Planning Permit (19/8/11 - P) No consultation; amenity loses as business wins. These changes go too far. Submissions close 7 September.

Changes Proposed To Allow Helicopter Landing Sites Without A Planning Permit (18/8/11 - P) No consultation; amenity loses as business wins. These changes go too far. Submissions close 7 September.

Industrial Land

Audit Of Industrial Land In Provincial Victoria (11/9/08 - P) Maps and detailed information on the current supply of industrial land in rural and regional Victoria are now accessible through a new online database.

Interventions - Ministerial

Minister For Planning, Justin Madden, Reports On Ministerial Interventions (13/8/10 - P) They're a way of life these days, aren't they?

Liquor Outlets

VC79 Amendment Changes State Planning Rules For Liquor Outlets (13/4/11- P) Planning approval is now required for packaged liquor outlets (e.g. bottleshops)

Land & Biodiversity

(Land and Biodiversity In A Time Of) Climate Change Green Paper Out For Comment (13/7/09 - E) Submissions in by Wednesday 30 September 2009. Land and Biodiversity Green Paper - Submissions Due 30 June (9/6/08 - E) The State government isn't proposing to do much to save our environment, so FriendsNET, Victoria Naturally & EDO provide a Guide To Submissions and a Seminar to help you make a submission - please, please do

Victoria Naturally Invites Community Groups to Land & Biodiversity Workshop 18 May (1/5/08 - E) Submissions close on 30 June and both Victoria Naturally and DSE are calling for public input

Land And Biodiversity In A Time Of Climate Change: Green Paper Released (14/4/08 - E) Critically important issues, and a quick look at the Green Paper says someone's not quite "getting it" so take a look and have a say - you could at least say that if any government is serious about these issues, it will do something to rein in rampant population growth and development, not try to work around them. Forums to be held. Submissions in by 30 June. Victoria Naturally calls for public submissions and offers to help

MRRA Attends Green Wedges / "Land and Biodiversity In A Time Of Climate Change" Forum (13/6/07 - P) We left them with something to think about, and took something to chew over away with us as well

Future Management Of Green Wedges Seminars In South Morang (8 June) and Pakenham (25 June) (29/5/07 - E) This is one of the lead-up discussions that will inform the State government's up-coming White Paper on Land and Biodiversity Management - a 20 - 50 year plan for natural resource management, land health and biodiversity.

"Land And Biodiversity At A Time Of Climate Change": White Paper (29/5/07 - E) State Government calls for submissions by 22 June

Land and Biodiversity Green Paper - Submissions Due 30 June (9/6/08 - E) The State government isn't proposing to do much to save our environment, so FriendsNET, Victoria Naturally & EDO provide a Guide To Submissions and a Seminar to help you make a submission - please, please do

Landscape

Central Victoria Landscape Assessment Study: Community Help Needed To Get This Right. Comments Close 19th April. (13/4/15 - P) Macedon Ranges and its long-recognised landscape values are barely recognisable. Whoa - a whole lot of improvement needed here re both landscape types, and significant features! Dear Department, can we talk? We need direct community consultation, right here in Macedon Ranges.

Local Policy

Government Backs "Making Local Policy Stronger" Report - But Will It Deliver For Local Communities? (29/10/07 - P) Recommends more prescription ('must' and 'no') but local policies are looking like endangered species

Loddon Mallee South Regional Growth Plan

Wooo... Crs. Sally Piper And Jennifer Anderson Go For it With Notices Of Motion For Tonight's Council Meeting At Gisborne (21/5/13-RA-C) But why do they even need to ask?

TIME FOR LODDON MALLEE SOUTH REGIONAL GROWTH PLANS EXTENDED UNTIL 31 MAY (21/5/13 - RA-P) Make a submission - this Plan isn't the community's idea of where Macedon Ranges Shire should be in future.

Loddon Mallee South Regional GROWTH Plan Is On Exhibition Until May 17 (23/4/13-RA-P) Yes, Loddon Mallee South does include Macedon Ranges, but not a word of it being a special place to be protected

Melbourne 2030

Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines Released By State Government (10/10/09 - P) Something old, something "flexible"?

State Government Puts Activity Centre Zone In Planning Schemes Through Amendment VC59 (18/9/09 - P) Another piece of the government's pro-development agenda falls into place

Melbourne 2030 Review Of Activity Centre Boundaries Out For Comment (21/2/09 - P) Submissions due by March 11

Melbourne 2008 - Life In A Destruction Zone (16/7/08 - O) Sheila Newman runs us through why it's a destruction zone, and not just in Melbourne

The Health of Melbourne 2030: What Did The Experts Find? (16/7/08 - P) Opportunity to discuss and dissect the Audit Expert Group's [AEG] findings at special issues forum on July 17th

Where Is Melbourne Going? Asks Actor Geoffrey Rush (26/3/08 - P) Will we look back on this time with pride, or with regret?

MRRA Attends Melbourne 2030 Audit Workshop (29/10/07 - P) The same week, the Department of Planning and Community Development releases "Melbourne 2030 Audit: Analysis Of Progress And Findings From The 2006 Census". What a waste of paper..

Macedon Ranges Shire Council's Submission To Melbourne 2030 Audit (17/9/07 - SP) It's an absolute cracker!

You Are Invited To Make Submissions On Melbourne 2030, Closes Sept 24 (28/8/07 - SP) Audit gets underway, public comment called for

Melbourne 2030 Audit (7/8/07 - SP) Terms of Reference released

State Government Announces "Audit" For Melbourne 2030 (13/6/07 - P) Principles won't be changed. This is just a call for submissions on how it can be better implemented. That overlooks some basic flaws in Melbourne 2030.

Plan Melbourne / Plan Melbourne Refresh / Metropolitan Planning Strategy

Plan Melbourne Refresh - Discussion Paper Out For Comments Until Friday 18 December ( 2/11/15 - P) It's not just about Melbourne, it's also about "peri-urban" Macedon Ranges too. Plan Melbourne File

"Metropolitan Strategy" Discussion Paper, Briefing (16/11/12 - P) This is the replacement for Melbourne 2030. Submissions close 1 March, 2013. Discussion Paper Briefing 20 November

Planning Fees

Review of Planning And Subdivision Fees (21/2/09 - P) Yes you can comment, but we can't find any information about closing dates for comments

Review Of State Planning Fees Underway (24/2/08 - P) Department's Scoping Study now available

Planning and Environment Act Review

State Govt - Proposed Changes To Planning And Environment Act Would Create Two Planning Systems: Us And Them, with all the rights and privileges going to 'them' (22/5/10 - P) Joke Joyce - only an 'improvement' if you are a developer.

Ratepayers' Victoria Inc Petition: Don't Change The Planning And Environment Act (20/11/10 - CC) RV says changes that give developers and their consultants the right to rezone and run an amendment process is privatizing planning in Victoria.

Draft "Modernized" Planning & Environment Act Exhibited Over Christmas (As You Do) (11/12/09 - P) A stunning effort by the State government to smother developer-driven changes to Victorian planning law

Feedback Needed On Response Papers - Planning and Environment Act Review (29/8/09 - P) At first glance, many of the changes being proposed (as discussed in the Response Papers) seem a response to developer pressure, undermining current standards and failing to produce the more open, more accountable planning wanted by the community.

Planning & Environment Act Review: Public Consultation Begins (2/4/09 - P) Discussion Paper now available, submissions due 1 May, all Victorians affected.

Planning History

Victorian Planning History Information Now Available (2/4/09 - P) 50 years of records at Public Records Office Victoria

Planning System

Protectors Of Public Lands and Yarra River Action Alliance Decide Not To Appeal Honeywell Result (20/11/10 - CC) A perfect example of why Victoria's planning system puts justice out of reach

Planning System Review 2011

State Government Calls For Input On Review Of Victorian Planning System (17/8/11 - P) That is, Planning and Environment Act, VPP planning schemes and supporting documents. Submissions by 31 August

Practice Notes

DPCD Releases A New Notice And Referral Processes' Planning Practice Note (21/2/09 - P) Says how it's supposed to work

Two New Planning Practice Notes Released About Native Vegetation (21/2/09 - P) In Victoria a planning permit is required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation. However, there are specific exemptions...

Reducing Amendment Timeframes

New Advisory Note Details Changes To Amendment Processes And Approvals (28/3/07 - SG) "Reducing Amendment Timeframes": the question is, will "quicker" produce better planning outcomes?

Reduced Permit Requirements

Residents Beware: Planning Minister's Claim That He's Got Rid Of Planning Permits Could Bite You (17/9/06 - P) Heaps of confusion: Minister changes zone controls but you may still need a permit under an Overlay

Removal of Rights

State Government Tries To Gag Planning Objections By Making People Pay To Object (17/9/09 - P) Get off!

Residential Zones

State Government Backs Down On Taking Residents' Rights Away In New State Residential Zones (21/2/09 - P) Good. But the government now plans to force VCAT to "fast-track" development so are we any better off? Submissions on the latest version of the residential zones close on 6 April.

Aged Care Facilities Become As-Of-Right In Residential and Mixed Use Zones (16/12/08 - P) State government gives green light to development

MRRA Submission On New State Residential Zones (22/4/08 - P) We didn't see any point in pussy-footing around, so we laid it right on the line.

Shadow Minister For Planning Hands Parliament 900 Signature Petition New State Residential Zones (11/9/08 - P) Petition shows clear community opposition to residents' rights being taken away by these zones.

New Residential Zones Rub Out Residents' Rights - Get Submissions In By April 18 (7/4/08 - P) MRRA RED ALERT TO RESIDENTS: You might not get another chance so take this opportunity to say "NO" to losing your rights to be notified of, object to and appeal against planning applications. And don't muck around or put it off - a new executive director position for "Planning Services and Development Facilitation" is already being set up in the Department of Planning, so get your submission in - quick!

Draft Residential Zones - Change To Information Sessions (11/3/08 - P) You must get involved in this - the State government is trying to take away your rights to know what happens where you live. If you can, go along to these sessions and make sure you tell them you don't want these totalitarian zones...

New Draft Residential Zones Available And Out For Comment Until April 18 (3/3/08 - P) There is no 'kind' response to these undemocratic, developer-driven, disempowering zones...

Retail Policy

State Government's Retail Policy Review Discussion Paper (2/4/09 - P) Submissions now available for viewing

State Government Launches Retail Planning Policy Review With A Difference (13/6/07 - P) Is it a first? Could there be half a chance rural areas will get their own retail policies?? This Review is to look at how State policy responds to differences and whether outcomes are suitable to the place e.g. Metro Melbourne v provincial cities and towns...

Rural Farming Group

Discussion Paper "Future Farms: Providing For Victoria's Future Rural Land Use" Is Out (16/5/09 - P) Consultation begins, submissions due in by 26 June

Future Farming Rural Planning Group Announced (2/4/09 - P) So much - everything - hangs in the balance...

Rural Living

Rural Residential Guidelines Practice Note

Brand New Rural Residential Development Guidelines' Practice Note Released (14/10/06 - P) Maybe a copy should be provided to all of our Councillors...

Rural Zones

MAV Starts Work On Decimating Rural Zones? (13/6/08 - P) With its fingerprints all over the new residential zones - yes, the ones that take away residents' rights - the Municipal Association of Victoria seems to now be turning its attention to the Rural zones. If it is, and this foray into zones goes as 'well' as the residential zones did (NOT), a disaster is in store for rural Victoria. You can kiss rural land goodbye...

Hallelujah! "Applying The Rural Zones" Practice Note Now Available (9/4/07 - P) MRRA liked the draft but this is better. 'Well done' to the State government - in something of a first, this Note actually describes and discusses the importance of protecting drinking (potable) water catchments

New Draft Rural Zones Practice Note Out For Comment Until 8 December (14/11/06 - P) Learn how the rural zones should be applied, what they mean and what they are supposed to deliver.

Planning Minister Hulls Tells Victorian Councils New State Rural Zones Are On The Way (29/9/05 – P) Don’t panic - Macedon Ranges asked for the new zones to be put in our planning scheme 6 months ago, and we’re still waiting!

Shaping Victoria

Shaping Victoria Forum 2009 (30/5/09 - P) "The Changing Face of Planning: where are we now and where are we heading?" Don't hold your breath, because most of us aren't invited.

State Planning Policy Framework SPPF

Cheap And Nasty State Government "Review" Of The State Planning Policy Framework [SPPF] (22/5/10 - P) The very, very lazy Department leaps over proper planning by sliding MELBOURNE 2030 over the whole State!

State Planning Policy Framework - Submissions Close 23 May (22/5/14 - P) Yes, not much notice, but here are the short, main points you can make in a quick submission

State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF) Review - Draft Now On Exhibition (11/12/09 - P) State government moves to drop Macedon Ranges as an area of high conservation values - last vestige of recognition for State significance of Macedon Ranges gone. Submissions due February 2, 2010 - you will be working over Christmas.

Government Survey Wants Comments On State Planning Policy By 5th April (28/3/07 - SP) Some might say 'burn it', but this is an opportunity to try to get some changes to State level policy

State Zone Reforms 2012/13

Rally Protesting Changes To State Zones (16/11/12 - P) Thursday 29 November, steps of Parliament House, 1.0 pm

Subdivision

Changes To The Subdivision Regulations (7/10/11 - P) Changes operational from 8 October

Planning Applications Online Trial Underway For Subdivisions: "SPEAR" (16/12/08 - P) But did you know you can also lodge objections online? Check it out.

Transport

State Government's New Major Transport Legislation A Horror Story For Democracy And Sustainability (10/10/09 - SG) You want it? You got it, but only if you are or work for the government. For everyone or everything else, it's "too bad, so sad"

Urban Design/Development

Have A Look At What's Officially Considered 'Good Design' Development (13/4/11- P) What do you think?

Urban Growth Boundary

Email Politicians Saying Resist Govt's Attempt To Expand Urban Boundaries (22/5/10 - P) The legislation blowing out Urban Boundaries and imposing GAIC tax comes back on May 25

Decision On Growth Areas Tax And Blow Out Of Urban Growth Boundary Deferred Until February 2 (11/12/09 - P) Last minute amendments from government throw debate into disarray and deferral

Urban Growth Boundary Planning Scheme Maps Now Available (19/11/09 - P) These changes are scheduled to be debated in the Upper House on 24th November

Protest Rally, Parliament House Steps, Tuesday 24 November, 12.30pm (19/11/09 - P) Expansion of Melbourne's Urban Growth Boundary, destruction of Green Wedges and GAIC tax

Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP)

Major Changes Mooted To The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPs) (21/6/07 - P) Councils and residents may get more control over the high-rise, 'medium' density tsunami that is swamping most neighbourhoods

Waste & Recycling

Waste Transfer Station and Recycling Facility Advisory Committee (24/4/09 - P) Issues and Options Paper now released for comment, submissions close 29 May

Zones

State Zone Reforms: The Few Desirable Bits Are Swamped By The Diabolical Rest (17/10/12 - P) Definitely "back to the drawing board"

Proposed State Zone Changes: Some Good, Most Definitely Ugly (12/9/12 - P) Submissions close September 21 - here's some help to make one.

Pokies

General

Victoria's most popular suburbs for poker machines

Gisborne

Council Asks For Your Comments On VicTavern Application For More Pokies In Gisborne (14/10/06) Responses to be in by 24 October - please make your views known.

Gisborne Under The Pump Again As Victorian Tavern Applies For 6 More Pokies (13/8/06 - P) Not much detail yet, but with more machines looming in Kyneton and Romsey, here we go again - in Gisborne this time.

Kyneton RSL

Kyneton RSL Pokies Decision Confirms Community Is Helpless To Stop The Scourge Of Poker Machines (30/9/06 - C) No point appealing Victorian Commission for Gaming Regulation's approval of more pokies at the Kyneton RSL - VCAT will just approve it too.

Pokies' Hearing Comes To Kyneton 4th August (21/7/06 - P) You can attend

Council Calls Meeting Over RSL Pokies, 16th February In Kyneton (31/1/06 – C) Tries to gauge public opinion

Kyneton Mechanics Institute / Kyneton Bowling Club Link

Romsey

Macedon Ranges' Council And Community Wins VCAT Decision On The Romsey Hotel Proposal: NO POKIES FOR ROMSEY! (19/11/09 - P) First the Supreme Court, and now VCAT, say social impacts and community well-being really, really do count.

Bad News All Round On Pokies (12/3/09 - P) Massive costs to Council trying to stop more pokies in Macedon Ranges, while those we've got suck more out of the community

Romsey Pokies: Disaster For Ratepayers As Council Error Sees Shire Cop Hotel Owner's Costs For Supreme Court Case And Failed VCAT Decision (22/4/08 - E) The gloss definitely comes off Council's win as the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) rules Council should have submitted the Romsey plebiscite results to VCAT. It didn't. Council (and ratepayers) will now wear the pokie applicant's VCAT and Court costs.

Supreme Court Throws Out VCAT Approval Of Romsey Pokies As An "Error In Law" (20/3/08 - C) Decision defines community well-being and rules that applications for pokies that undermine well-being (e.g. what the community wants) shouldn't be approved. This has ramifications across the State and brings into question at least one other VCAT decision - the "Branbeau" case

Romsey Pokies Supreme Court Hearing Over (4/12/07 - P) Now we wait

Supreme Court Says Council Can Appeal VCAT's Romsey Pokies Decision (31/3/07 - P) Suddenly there's hope, as we set off once again on the Yellow Brick Road seeking justice

Romsey Residents Face Another Battle Over Pokies (23/5/06 - P) Reports of applicant taking Romsey pokies refusal to VCAT

Gaming Commission Finds Romsey Is 'Too Rural' For Pokies Right Now (9/5/06 - P) But what happens if the town grows?

Romsey Pokies Get Works Approval From VCAT (1/6/05 - P) State ‘rules’ say ‘Yes’, again prevail over council and community ‘No’

Woodend

Pokies For Campaspe House In Woodend On The Way? (4/12/07 - P) The rumour is an application is pending

Population

Census Data / Growth Rates

Australian Bureau of Statistics Changes How It Will Count 2011 Census (11/7/11 - P) Transfer to new Statistical Geography Standard begins

Latest DPCD Growth Figures Say Macedon Ranges' Growth Has Slowed Yet Again In 2007 (10/8/08 - P) Pulls the 'justified' rug even further from under the Braemar Estate 1,000 lots

First 2006 Census ABS Data Due In June 2007 (28/3/07 - SP) Next round of DSE Population Projections due in June 2008. Let's hope they don't again project rampant growth in Macedon Ranges, like the last lot did in 2004

Growth - What It Means

Want to know what 'growth' means - really means? (22/5/10): Check out "Arithmetic, Population and Energy" (aka The Most Important Video You Will Ever See) by Dr. Albert A. Bartlett. The theme is: "The Greatest Shortcoming of the Human Race is Our Inability To Understand The Exponential Function". Dr. Bartlett demonstrates that knowing how to do arithmetic can change how we see everything. Click here for Youtube links.

Over-Population

The Big Population Debate: Robert Doyle v Kelvin Thomson, Monday 13th October, 5.30pm - 7.00pm (8/10/14 - P) "population growth is inevitable" v "population growth is neither inevitable nor desirable"

Kelvin Thompson Asks Is Melbourne @ 5 Million A Better City Than Melbourne @ 4 Million? (14/11/10 - SG) Speech for Planning Backlash's population debate now available.

Bob Carr Joins Kelvin Thomson In Speaking Out Against Over-Population (19/11/09 - P) But is anyone listening?

Protectors Of Public Lands Victoria Inc Revs Up On Over-Population (19/11/09 - P) Check out the 14 point plan by Kelvin Thomson (MHR for Wills) to stabilize Australia's population at 26 million - Kelvin is also speaking at Sustainable Population Australia's meeting on November 29 - all welcome

CanDoBetter Exposes Scandalous Scanlon Report (30 million by 2050) And Supporters (29/8/09 - O) It's what is going on without you knowing

Melbourne 2008 - Life In A Destruction Zone (16/7/08 - O) Sheila Newman runs us through why it's a destruction zone, and not just in Melbourne

Melbourne's Population Surge (11/3/08 - E) Latest bulletin by Monash Uni's Centre for Population and Urban Research

Melbourne's Liveability Fades As Population Soars (11/3/08 - E) Sustainable Population Australia (Vic branch) media release

Latest Figures Expose An Immigration Explosion In The Past 3 Years (3/3/08 - P) Marry that with the new bonus-fed 'baby boom', and it's no wonder governments aren't coping with the massive population growth Australia is experiencing

Sustainable Population

SPA (Sustainable Population Australia) On Andrew Bolt (14/10/08 - E) "People who normally disapprove of Andrew Bolt, the often vitriolic right-wing columnist in Australia's Herald Sun, were today (8/10/08) at a loss with unfamiliar feelings of agreement"

California Has BALLS: It's Pretty Simple - No Water, No Development!!! (9/6/08 - E) Ooohh, would that we did... How soon can Arnie make it to Victoria?

Populate AND Perish? Hear Sustainable Population Australia's Sheila Newman in Woodend, Wednesday February 27 (tomorrow) (26/2/08 - E) The question of what is sustainable population growth gives all of us plenty to think and talk about. Here's an opportunity to listen to an expert on the subject. Don't miss it!

Victoria In Future Population Projections

Alert From Sustainable Population Australia To Urban & Regional Population Forums (17/9/09 - P) Dept of Planning and Community Development is hosting forums across Victoria focussing on Victoria In Future population projections

VCAT

"Major" Cases To Again Be Fast-Tracked At VCAT (23/9/11 - P) Just when you thought there was one rule for all... the two rule system is back!

Latest VCAT 'Red Dot' Decisions (23/9/11 - P) Some interesting ones here and one, (BMF P/L), has enormous implications.

VCAT "Major Cases List" For Fast-Tracking Development Hearings Dropped As State Funding Dries Up (13/4/11- P) Shock! Horror! Don't tell us it's an even playing field at last...

Latest VCAT Red Dot Decisions (8/8/10 - P) Wind turbines to 'adjoining' to coastal

Latest VCAT Red Dot Decisions (29/6/10 - P) Whew! There are some 'hot' ones here, including the Windsor Hotel (National Trust v Minister For Planning) decision.

VCAT Restructure Announced (13/8/10 - P) No information on anything else yet

VCAT Review Submissions Now Available (27/6/10 - P) Also a reminder that next round of submissions closes 28 June

Latest VCAT "Red Dot" Decision (23/12/09 - P) Footscray Football Club social venue and gaming machines approved

Latest VCAT Red Dot Decision (11/12/09 - P) Requirements if a planning scheme changes for as-of-right (no permit required) use and development

More VCAT Red Dot Decisions... (19/11/09 - P) Stonnington and Hobsons Bay this time

Latest VCAT 'Red Dot' Decisions (10/10/09 - P) Decisions of special interest you might like to look at...

Red Dot Decision From VCAT Recognises Community Values (3/4/09 - P) Brighton hotel not to be demolished due to community demonstration of cultural significance

VCAT Review: Call For Public Comments And Submissions On How VCAT Is Performing (24/4/09 - P) Get it off your chest!

VCAT Strikes First Blow In A Climate-Change Affected World (10/8/08 - P) Applications for dwellings knocked back - land at risk from rising sea levels, says VCAT

Register Your Group For The Up-coming VCAT Planning Consultative Forums (3/3/08 - P) But be prepared to be patient - community groups don't get a look-in until 13 October, 2008

Save Our Suburbs (Vic): "VCAT Exposed" and "Implementation and Performance of Melbourne 2030" Features On SOS Website Melbourne (14/11/06 - P) The Malvern East Group (MEG) has scoured VCAT records to look at the relationship between different VCAT members and development approvals. Verrry interesting...

Selected VCAT Decisions On This Website

Gisborne Call Centre Click

Rural Land Policies (Amendment C21/C48) Click

Signs At Kyneton Click

181 Lot Subdivision, Riddells Creek Click

4 Lot Subdivision, Romsey Click

1005 Lot Subdivision / Development Plan, Gisborne Click

$4500 Costs Against Council Click