New State Residential Zones Rub Out Residents’ Rights

Macedon Ranges’ residents – beware! The Victorian government has prepared three new draft residential zones (to be applied across the State), and all of them take away your rights to know about a planning application, to object to it and to appeal against it at VCAT.

If someone (undefined) decides a planning application complies with ResCode, that’s it. The first you will know about it will be when construction starts next door (including multi storey and unit developments), and you won’t be able to do anything about it. That’s not only undemocratic, there’s no accountability in that type of decision-making either.

Amongst other things, all three zones will also fast-track approval for “straight-forward” developments (again, undefined). In the Substantial Change zone, no building can be UNDER 4 storeys, and the zone is intended to change neighbourhood character.

Make no mistake - these residential zones are designed to facilitate development by excluding community objections.

Macedon Ranges Residents’ Association [MRRA] is urging residents to let the Victorian government know that taking away our rights just isn’t on. Submissions can be made until April 18. Please don’t miss this opportunity to have your say (while you still can).

You can find out more about the zones or get a copy of the discussion paper by going to www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/, or call 9637 8610 for more information about making a submission.

Submissions can be lodged in online, by email planning.systems@dpcd.vic.gov.au, or by post to Planning Systems, DPCD, GPO Box 2392, Melbourne, VIC, 3001.

And finally, you may also want to share your views about these zones rubbing out your rights with Joanne Duncan (5428 2138) and Geoff Howard (5331 7722), Macedon Ranges’ State Labor MPs.