In a submission to the Underwood Review, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has put forward its case for a simpler ‘new generation’ planning system to improve performance by reducing costs and time.
MAV President Cr Bill McArthur said while extensive input from local government concluded that Victoria’s planning system is mostly structurally sound, it could benefit from reforms that reduce complexity, simplify processes, and reward good performance.
Cr McArthur said there have been many reviews of Victoria’s planning system, but reforms have largely missed the mark.
“As improvements were made to various aspects of the planning regime, significant additions or complexity were added elsewhere which has reduced the efficient and effective operation of the system,” he said.
“The ‘new generation’ planning system proposal by the MAV calls for implementation of reforms that maximise benefit for everyone – communities, developers, industry, councils and the State Government.”
According to the Councillor, the MAV has called for stronger articulation of State Policy through spatial maps and instructions for Planning Authorities.
This could resolve policy conflicts and the growing number of competing State policy objectives that add time and complexity to councils’ planning permit decision-making.
“We strongly believe our proposals offer some win-win solutions. They can preserve community input rights; reduce delays and deliver cost savings for developers; provide councils with clarity to guide better decision-making; and simplify processes for everyone,” he said.
An extensive engagement process by the MAV with its members informed the submission, including circulation of a discussion paper and six regional meetings with members attended by more than 50 councils.
The Ministerial Advisory Committee is due to provide a preliminary report to the Minister by 30 November.
Cr McArthur said local government offered critical insight into the operation of Victoria’s planning system, and councils supported the need for reforms to improve performance.
“A program of self-reform is already underway through the MAV STEP Planning Process Improvement Program, which was launched in August 2010 and currently has 21 councils involved,” he said
“The STEP program expects to deliver annual savings of $6 million for the development industry by reducing timeframes, simplifying processes, and improving the consistency of planning decisions.”
Cr McArthur said on average there are 278 steps in the planning permit process and 179 in the planning scheme amendment process. Councils are working hard to streamline, set targets and monitor results to radically improve their performance and accountability.
“We hope the views and suggestions of local government – as a critical partner in both strategic and statutory land use planning – will be strongly reflected in the State’s review outcomes,” he said.
“We need prioritisation of relevant reforms that will result in a simpler, more efficient and effective planning system for all Victorians.”
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