Overview
The VLGA has been at the forefront of moves to develop a more strategic planning system, one that minimises intervention, interference and manipulation, and one that protects the autonomy of local governments and involves local citizens in decision-making. The VLGA argues for greater consistency and certainty in local planning.
Strategic Plan
Land use planning is informed by section B.2: Planning and Place of the Strategic Plan whereby VLGA aims to strengthen the capacities of communities to plan for sustainable futures.
Strategies include:
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Provide leadership and advocacy on critical land use planning issues
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Provide leadership on local area planning and community planning concepts
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Promote the need for partnerships between levels of Government and the community
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Protect the right of local communities and governments to participate in land use planning issues
VLGA Approach
In conjunction with La Trobe University and supported by VicHealth, the VLGA has produced a report to illustrate the importance of integrating areas of land use planning,health, economics, environment and social objectives to achieve a holistic food security system. The recommendations provides local government with a roadmap to inform Council policy and illustrates that the responsibility should not lie within separate policy areas or individual disciplines within Governments.
Current Activity
16 September 2011
The VLGA has made its submission to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Victorian Planning System [the Underwood Committee]. Oursubmission emphasises the need to for the planning system to incorporate collaborative approaches that embody the principles of community engagement and good governance.
For this to occur, it is vital to ensure that there is equitable access to the planning processes, with local government maintaining its functions in strategic and statutory planning for local communities. While significant gains in efficiency can be made, they should not be sought through a deregulated system that bypasses fair and transparent processes. Much can be achieved by implementing the recommendations of numerous previous reviews, including addressing bottlenecks in DPCD and VCAT, without wholesale changes to a system that isn't fundamentally broken.
Community confidence in the planning system will be restored when genuine community engagement takes place, particularly in strategic planning. If there is proper protection for things of high value - including the environment, open space, liveability, heritage and intrinsic neighbourhood character – the community will be more accepting of change in designated places. Land-use planning needs to be part of an integrated approach, supported by population and settlement strategies, and involving transport planning and adequate infrastructure investment. It also needs to facilitate community responses to key challenges of our time, from climate change, peak oil and food security to housing affordability and responsible gambling.
The full submission can be accessed
here.
1 August 2011
VLGA President Cr Samantha Dunn
As our members and communities grapple with the impacts of population change, growth and inadequate infrastructure and funding at the local level, I am pleased to be able to inform members that the Board last week adopted a set of recommendations for ongoing advocacy with the State Government and other stakeholders concerning land use planning, population and settlement issues. These recommendations are grouped into four ‘key themes’, namely:
1. Place community engagement at the core of principles and process
2. Forge a genuine partnership between State and Local Government
3. Support strategic planning with adequate investment in infrastructure
4. Establish agreements on population and settlement issues
The recommendations are also strongly based on some of the
work the VLGA undertook in the lead-up to the last State Election, member feedback since, as well as our strong policy support for equitable and sustainable communities, regardless of the setting. We are already in discussion with the State Government about how the replacement metropolitan strategy needs to be truly collaborative and engaging at the local level, and on Friday we met with the Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee to present key issues the VLGA believes need to be considered in their review of Victoria’s overall planning system. We will say more to members about this in the coming weeks, as we finalise our written submission to the Advisory Committee. Please remember that if you have views regarding the overall effectiveness of the planning system, you can
get further information here, and share your views on this topic with us. In the meantime please don’t hesitate to give me a call on 0407 364 509 or
drop me a line. Cheers.
Integrating Land Use Planning and Community Food Security
In partnership with the Community Planning and Development Program at LaTrobe University, and funded by VicHealth, the VLGA is developing a new agenda for local government to deliver on sustainability, economic growth, and social justice. The report, Integrating Land Use Planning and Community Food Security, explores the extent to which local Victorian governments are treating land use planning as integral to, and inseparable from, the objectives of food security.
Contact
Policy Team
T: +61 3 9349 7999
E:
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