MADDEN BUSTS MYTHS ON PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL ZONES

Planning Minister, Justin Madden has told Victorian councils the proposed residential zones will give communities greater certainty about the type of development expected in council areas.

Addressing a Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) information session last night, Mr Madden said the proposed zones were released for public comment earlier this year.

“Our communities are changing – we’re growing and thriving because people know that Victoria is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Mr Madden said.

“In particular, local councils play a central role in the growth of our communities but to do this effectively they need the right tools. This is one of the reasons why the Brumby Government has developed and released for comment a discussion paper about a new set of residential zones.”

The discussion paper is designed to stimulate debate about how councils can more easily make decisions about the type of residential development should be allowed, and where.

Mr Madden said the new zones would not remove residents’ rights of appeal.

“The proposals for these new zones are not about removing rights. They are about providing certainty about what levels of development are permitted in certain areas,” he said.

“By increasing certainty and understanding within the community, we can reduce the level of disputes.”

Mr Madden also condemned any suggestion the proposed zones will have a minimum height requirement of three floors or more.

“Currently there is no height limit across most of Melbourne under the existing Residential Zone 1. What the discussion paper suggests is the new residential zones should be able to specify a height limit, where appropriate.”

Mr Madden said it was important that people are able to make submissions on these proposed zones with a clear and informed understanding of what we are actually proposing.

MAV President Dick Gross encouraged councils to have their say on the new zones.

“We are encouraged by the potential opportunities offered by the new residential zones,” Councillor Gross said.

“It’s important that councils have their say. Councils should engage in this process to ensure that the new zones meet their needs and reflect community expectations.

“Local Government needs a planning system that gives local policy certainty and is clear about what development can and can’t occur. The current system is not doing this.”

The draft residential zones discussion paper is at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning and can be commented on until 18 April 2008.