Planning challenges: Integrated planning, working

with three governmentlevels & design tools

Stuart Worn – Executive Officer

Planning Institute Australia

Victorian Division

Question: Is the present planning system right for Victoria?

PIA Member Survey – August 2011The Victorian Planning System

Structural problems of the Victorian planning system:

• Lack of integration between planning and other relevant legislation (e.g. Public Health and Wellbeing Act)

• The Planning & Environment Act• The current system unable to respond quickly to issues as they

arise

Policy reform problems of the Victorian planning system:

• Lack of directions and mechanism to address social impacts of planning, including health

• Need for more open spaces (recreation, interaction, food production)

PIA Member Survey – August 2011The Victorian Planning System

Identified opportunities to improve the Victorian Planning System include:

•Review and improve the clarity of the Planning and Environment Act (1987)

•Facilitate increased density, particularly around activity centres

•Prioritisation of sustainable transport methods, including cycling and walking.

PIA Member Survey – August 2011The Victorian Planning System

1. Metropolitan Planning Strategy2. Planning System Expert (Underwood) Review3. Urban Renewal Authority - establishment from the former VicUrban4. Introduction of Code Assessment5. Development Contributions Plan Review6. Logical Inclusion to the UGB Review (2 reviews – growth areas and non-growth areas)7. Green Wedge Review8. Establishment of Planning Referral Committees formally Development Assessment

Committees9. Victorian Design Review Panel10. Corridor Plans and Biodiversity Strategies11. Parliamentary Inquiries:

a. Liveability of Outer Suburban Areasb. Role of the Built Environment in Public Healthc. Establishment & effectiveness of Register Aboriginal Partiesd. Floods

12. Numerous other specific issues, such as:a. Aboriginal Heritage Actb. Contaminated Land (3 reviews simultaneously)c. EPBC Act Offsets & Time stamping processd. Signagee. Planning Fees

Relevant Vic. Govt. Reviews & Initiatives

Our approach to affecting change

Historical reasons for planning

PIA Victorian – Call to Action

• Key advocacy positions of the Victorian Division

1. Spring Clean the Planning System

The Planning and Environment Act (1987) is outdated in a number of ways:

• Lacks relevance to current planning policies such as ‘Melbourne@5 Million’.

• Creates a complex and ineffective process of development contributions

• Provides for a planning approval process which is not best practice.

 

1. Spring Clean the Planning System

Action and Implementation Strategya. Undertake a comprehensive, independent review

of the Planning and Environment Act (1987). b. Establish a ‘governor in council’ appointed

position of Victorian State Plannerc. Introduce expert decision making panels across

the State (PRA’s)d. Introduce ‘code assessment’ and delegation of

decision makinge. Review all state and local planning policies every

4 yearsf. Wholesale review of the Victorian Planning

Provisions format planning schemes  

2. Where and How We Live

Victoria is undergoing unprecedented population growth which is expected to continue as a result of increasing birth rates and immigration.

Planning is an essential element in accommodating this growth and to ensure the availability of affordable housing, employment, appropriate infrastructure and the creation of liveable communities.

The expansion of Melbourne’s fringe needs to be minimised and attention directed to existing urban areas.

2. Where and How We Live

Action and Implementation Strategya. Determine Urban Growth Boundaries for

Melbourne and Victoria’s regional cities b. Introduce higher density zoning c. Protect farming areas d. Use developer contributions to ensure key

infrastructure, particularly public transport, is available from the establishment of growth areas

e. Increase the diversity and affordability of housing (including social housing) by introducing inclusionary zoning, transferable development rights and tax incentives.

f. Strategic land use plans need to be developed for Melbourne’s peri-urban areas

3. Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan

PIA supports the genuine integration of land use and transport planning. The Institute believes that transport and land development are not separate issues, but are two facets of the same challenge. Integrated decision making needs to permeate land use and transport legislation, regulation and policy.

3. Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan

Action and Implementation Strategya. Land and transport planning to be integrated

through the amalgamation of the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Department of Transport

b. The Victorian State Planner (see issue 1B) should oversee, direct and report to Parliament on the integration of land use and transport planning

c. The reviewed Planning and Environment Act should include the integration of transport and land use planning.

4. Sustainable Development

PIA is committed to the creation of sustainable communities, and will continue to work with industry and government to ensure that the design of all new development, including the retrofitting of existing communities, facilitates reductions in energy and water demand, whilst promoting the use of sustainable and renewable services.

4. Sustainable Development

Action and Implementation Strategy

a. Clause 56 water recycling requirements be expanded to cover all development.

b. State and local planning policies to foster sustainable development.

c. State policy and planning controls be amended to facilitate renewable and sustainable energy generation, recycling and re-use of water.

5. A Better Built Environment

PIA believes strongly in the role that good quality urban design plays in creating places that are liveable, functional, attractive and sustainable. The Institute actively promotes and advocates the values of good urban design, and continues to foster, promote and acknowledge high quality and innovative urban environments.

5. A Better Built Environment

Action and Implementation Strategya. The 12 principles of the Victorian Urban Design

Charter should be included in the State Planning Policy Framework of planning schemes

b. All state and local government building and infrastructure projects should meet the 12 principles of the Urban Design Charter

c. A body similar to the independent UK Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is established in Australia

6. Participation in Planning

The Institute is committed to increasing the community’s awareness, dialogue, activism and ownership of planning issues. Community engagement can work to create cultural change rather than relying on ‘engineering solutions’ to solve social justice and safety issues.

6. Participation in Planning

Action and Implementation Strategy

a. Planning decisions need to be ‘depoliticised’ and made in a bipartisan manner

b. Government at all levels needs to employ consistent, best practice processes of community engagement and consultation

Next Installment – Report Card

• The Institute’s Report Card - will be released in November 2011 to mark the 1st anniversary of the election of the Victorian Coalition Government.

Leading Change

• Use best practice to drive market forces, to in turn ease the burden and create a mandate for government to create legislative and policy change based on evidence.

• Social Inclusion• Childhood Health• Physical Activity• Safety• Food • Mental Health

Putting Health at the Centre of Planning6 Key Priority Areas

Selandra Rise• Collaborative Partnership between Industry,

Government & the Private Sector • Project Objectives:

• Improving housing diversity• Promoting local employment• Creating a healthy and engaged

community• Independent, longitudinal and comparative

evaluation with RMIT University

Open spaces, walking & cycling paths

Community facilities

Education

Various housing options

Sustainable living hub

Business & retail

Selandra Rise

Selandra RiseKey Initiatives

1. Timely Delivery of Services

2. Selandra Community Place

3. Affordable & Diverse Housing

4. Community Creation

5. Local Employment

6. Integrated Neighbourhood Activity Centre

Simplified Planning ProcessExisting Area Greenfield

(Growth Area)

Master Plan Framework Plan

Structure Plan Precinct Structure Plan

Development Contribution

Plan

Planning Permits

Development Plan Urban Design Framework

Developer

State Government

Local Government

Federal Government

What is the Federal Govt’s role?•Funding for infrastructure•Legislation (EPBC Act)

Land Development

Questions?

sworn@planning.org.auwww.planning.org.au