Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu is trying to mislead Victorians on a planning scheme amendment that does not change any planning laws, but merely seeks to coordinate existing planning provisions, the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, said today.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu is trying to mislead Victorians on a planning scheme amendment that does not change any planning laws, but merely seeks to coordinate existing planning provisions, the Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, said today.
Mr Madden said Mr Baillieu was too weak to discipline his planning spokesman for spreading mistruths about a planning scheme amendment.
“Mr Baillieu is a weak opportunist who is treating Victorians with contempt by deliberately misrepresenting this planning scheme amendment,” Mr Madden said.
“Mr Baillieu’s opposition is too lazy to have any planning policies to protect housing affordability, maintain Melbourne’s liveability and manage shifting demand for housing types.
“Mr Baillieu’s cynical political campaign to misrepresent a planning scheme amendment is no substitute for doing the hard work of putting forward planning policies.”
Mr Madden said the Brumby Labor Government’s plan for managing growth was clearly spelt out in Melbourne 2030 and Melbourne @ 5 Million, which have been public documents since 2002 ( Melbourne 2030 ) and 2008 ( Melbourne @ 5 Million ).
“Despite Mr Baillieu’s claims otherwise, councils – and all planning decision makers – have already had to consider these policy documents when deciding applications. This planning scheme amendment does not change that,” Mr Madden said.
“Height limits, heritage overlays and all other planning controls – which mandate what can be built where – all remain exactly the same and still apply.
“This planning scheme amendment only seeks to coordinate transport planning, neighbourhood planning, urban design and local planning policies – to provide an integrated approach to preserve community character into the future.
“Mr Baillieu should correct his planning spokesperson for falsely claiming that there have been changes to planning laws to mandate high rise development.”
Mr Madden said only the Brumby Labor Government had a plan to manage population growth and housing demand, which focused on maintaining affordability and meeting different demographic needs.
“Matthew Guy says he supports a bigger population for Victoria, but he has put forward no plans at all,” Mr Madden said.
“While 284,000 houses are set to be created in the expanded urban growth boundary, more than 316,000 need to be created in areas where there are already services, jobs and community infrastructure.
“If Mr Baillieu is against creating more housing in existing suburbs, he needs to say what green wedges on the urban fringe he will rezone for housing. Mr Baillieu needs to come clear on what his plans are to manage Melbourne’s housing needs – if he has any.”
Mr Madden said higher density housing did not necessarily mean high rise housing – as claimed by the Opposition – and could be easily achieved with low rise development of two or three storeys, or more efficient use of land.
“The Brumby Labor Government is absolutely committed to preserving our neighbourhood character and unique nature of inner city communities,” Mr Madden said.
“There are many places in Melbourne where high rise development is not appropriate and where planning controls such as height limits, heritage overlays would prevent it happening.
“The opposition know this but are choosing to run a scare campaign rather than follow the facts.”
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