Planning laws raise objection

By Tania Martin
YARRA Ranges Council last week slammed proposed changes to the state’s planning scheme as “undemocratic”.
At a meeting on Tuesday 9 February the council agreed to submit its concerns as part of the review.
A report to the council outlined a number of concerns over the proposed changes, including an addition to the scheme that would force councils to give equal consideration to social, economic and environmental factors for all applications.
The report stated that this change would weaken the significance of environmental consideration in the assessment of planning proposals.
It also outline concerns over a change that could see applicants go straight to the state planning minister for approval.
The changes could allow applicants who have had planning requests refused, or who fear their proposal would be refused, the option to go directly for the minister.
After consulting the council, the minister could then authorise the applicant to prepare their own planning scheme amendment.
The report said this would lead to a weakening of the council’s planning powers.
Lyster Ward’s councillor Samantha Dunn said the changes would see the loss of the local voice.
“Should these changes go ahead we will see the removal of the citizens’ voice and what they want to see for their communities,” she said.
Cr Dunn also has grave concerns over the suggestion that there needed to be a balance between social, economic and environmental elements when considering a proposal.
“We must not make planning decisions at the expense of the environment, we haven’t got much left and we don’t want to see it all gone,” she said.
Cr Dunn said the changes would also spell the end of councils negotiating with applicants especially over environmental issues.
“We would lose any influence with applicant to things to what we know work in the shire,” she said.
But a State Government spokesman said the proposed system would not give developers the responsibility for deciding on planning scheme amendments, as they do now.
“There has been several opportunities apart form the exposure draft to input into the proposed amendments,” he said.
“The changes proposed to the Act provide the framework for planning processes and will, of course, require changes to regulations and planning schemes, and these will be worked with key stakeholders.”
The spokesman said the process doesn’t sideline the council in the amendment process but would provide a mechanism to address an impasse or delays in the process.
“It will not compromise the planning scheme amendment process,” he said.