Statement - Local councils condemn Labor's alarming planning overreach

Statement – Local councils condemn Labor’s alarming planning overreach

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning

Friday 23 August 2024.

Councils have condemned the Allan Labor Government’s push to override community input in local planning decisions, which will fast-track approvals for towers up to 20 storeys in their communities.

The changes are set to fundamentally change the face of communities in Broadmeadows, Camberwell, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie, North Essendon, Preston and Ringwood.

Boroondara Council described the changes as “alarming”, “illogical”, and “poor planning”, with no evidence of a strategic analysis of the local infrastructure capacity in the vast catchment area, 48 per cent of which is currently covered by heritage overlay.

Bayside Council has also confirmed they have “grave concerns” and “little confidence”, and that the process has been “poorly undertaken with little respect to local government”.

It follows Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, yesterday suggesting the community’s third-party rights in the notice and review period could be “switched off”.

Shadow Minister for Planning, James Newbury, said: “The extent of Labor’s attack on communities across Melbourne has been exposed, with the Allan Labor Government now shutting down the voice of local residents.

“Under the changes announced, swathes of heritage overlays will be removed, third-party rights of local residents will be ignored, and high-rise towers will be fast-tracked to suburban streets.

“There is little wonder that affected communities are condemning the Allan Labor Government’s reckless planning changes.

“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage housing and Victorians are paying the price.”

James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning