Archive: Municipal Strategic Statement

Last Updated 16/7/08

See also Amendment C84 (2012 supposed MSS "Review")

See also Localised Planning Statement (2014)

Hello, Hello, Hello - Where Did Statement Of Planning Policy No. 8 Go?

(16/7/08 - P)  Council's 'review' of Macedon Ranges' Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) and Local Policies sees the Macedon Ranges Policy dropped from the Macedon Ranges planning scheme.   MRRA says, we want it elevated to State policy, not shredded

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is in the process of 'reviewing' its MSS and Local Policies.  Originally due to be finished in 2003, the review began several years ago, stopped, then started again.  A draft revised MSS and local policies were exhibited in 2007, to which MRRA made a hefty submission.

A final draft of changes arising from the review recently hit MRRA's desk.  One or two areas have been strengthened, but its most compelling feature is what has been taken out. 

Together, the MSS and local policies constitute the Local Planning Policy Framework [LPPF], and are the only part of a planning scheme where a municipality can describe itself.  

An MSS is the 'engine' of a planning scheme - it is the strategic heart that drives a scheme.  It is supposed to say what's important to us, and what we are going to do about it.  On the other hand, local policies provide advice and guidance on making day to day decisions to get outcomes that are right for, and take account of, local conditions. Without them, the fallback position is generic State-wide policy which isn't specific to any area.  

There are moves from the State government to 'slim down' MSS's and local policies, which in itself diminishes the ability of communities to describe themselves - to say what is different about each municipality: its identity, people, characteristics, values, constraints and needs. 

This review seems to 'follow the company line', with much of current MSS content and local policies dropped.  The upshot is that there is plenty that is 'diminished' about this final draft, because there just isn't enough in it to define Macedon Ranges.  Overall, its 'condensed' content misses the point - and what makes Macedon Ranges tick.   It could be talking about anywhere.

The existing township policies are gone - moved to the MSS. 

And then there's the quiet assassination of Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 - Macedon Ranges and Surrounds.  The Macedon Ranges policy.  SPP8.  Clause 22.01 in the current scheme.  This policy is the only thing left that stands between a rural Macedon Ranges, and Macedon Ranges: the suburb.

It has been the foundation stone upon which all planning schemes have been built in Macedon Ranges for 35 years. 

It started life as a State level policy backed by legislation (much like the Green Wedges today). 

By 2000, and the arrival of the VPP format planning schemes, it was down-graded to Local Policy, even though the Planning Minister of the day (John Thwaites) agreed it should be State policy.  That didn't happen.

In 2004, MRRA launched a campaign to have SPP8 re-instated as State policy, but the State government has said we are already protected, that SPP8 as local policy is law, and protects us from over-development. The difficulty with SPP8 as local policy is that there is no easy way to implement it and many ignore it, which is why it needs to be State policy.

But instead of SPP8 becoming State policy, along comes Council's MSS and local policy review and... hello, hello, hello - where did Statement of Planning Policy No. 8 go?   As far as MRRA knows, Yarra Ranges still has its Statement of Planning Policy, so it seems it's just ours that has vanished.

Not only isn't it a State policy, it's not even a Local policy any more - it is just gone.

THE $64,000 question is, who said it could go?

MRRA Says:

There was an attempt back in the days of the first post-amalgamation Macedon Ranges Council to get rid of Statement of Planning Policy No. 8.   Surely it is merely a coincidence that, with some of those same Councillors currently in office, it's happening again?

How dare anybody... ANYBODY... think they can arbitrarily lop this huge and critical policy out of our scheme. 

Bet on it, you will be hearing more from us on this one.  In fact, we think we can feel a letter to the Minister for Planning coming on right now, and possibly to a couple of other places as well.

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

Keep an eye out for this Review being placed on public exhibition after most Councillors voted against officers' advice to simply send the report and its recommendations for significant changes to Macedon Ranges planning scheme off to the Minister without consulting the community.  MRRA understands Crs. Noel Harvey, Geoff Neil and John Connor voted against community consultation.  Council first started the Municipal Strategic Statement [MSS] Review in 2004/05, at which time Councillors and Council officers, referral authorities and the community were asked to comment on how the Shire's MSS and local policies were working.  Councillors and Council officers, and referral authorities, were given another chance to comment in 2007.  Now it's the community's turn...

Macedon Ranges Municipal Strategic Statement On Exhibition

UPDATE  1 (18/7/05 – P)  Council calls for comment on what you think is missing from the MSS (Strategic Gap Analysis)

Council has sent MRRA an Adobe PDF file containing the material on which comment is sought.  Click here to view or email mrra.sec999@gmail.com if you would like a copy emailed to you.

Macedon Ranges Municipal Strategic Statement On Exhibition

(8/7/05 – P) Most critical part of planning scheme – you must get involved in this!

Council’s first Municipal Strategic Statement Review is finally underway, two years late.  Copies are apparently available at Council offices, but MRRA hasn’t had any luck finding the documents on Council’s website.  We will follow this up with Council.