Conflicts of Interest
The Victorian Planning Authority Act 2017 contains conflict of interest requirements that apply to any individuals working on behalf of the VPA, including DTP employees and external contractors. Conflicts are required to be declared, and conflicted individuals must stand aside from any involvement in the matter.
Employees of the Department of Transport and Planning who are working on behalf of the VPA are required to follow the Department’s Conflict of Interest Policy. The policy incorporates the requirements of the Victorian Public Sector Conflict of Interest Policy Framework, the public sector Code of Conduct, the Public Administration Act 2004 and the VPA Act. The policy framework can be viewed here. Contractors and consultants engaged as part of the VPA work program are required to declare any potential conflicts of interest prior to engagement, and to advise the VPA if any new conflicts arise during their engagement. If the VPA considers that a conflict of interest cannot be satisfactorily managed by a contractor or consultant, then an alternative supplier will be engaged instead.
In some circumstances, a landowner or developer will have entered into third party funding arrangements for the provision of resources to undertake the background studies associated with PSP preparation. In the terms of the contractual relationship with the VPA, the parties involved have an enhanced duty in respect of actual, potential and perceived conflict of interest situations.
The VPA has an Information Sheet: Conflict of interest as it pertains to Third Parties (and their agents) who contract with the VPA‚ which is provided to all signatories to such an agreement, and is available on request from the VPA.
Gifts
Employees of the Department of Transport and Planning who are working on behalf of the VPA are required to follow the Department’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy. The policy is based on the Victorian Public Sector Commission framework. The policy can be viewed here.
From 1 January 2025 any declarable offers of gifts, benefits or hospitality made to VPA staff are recorded in the Department’s Gift Register. The VPA Gift Register can be viewed here.
Complaints
The VPA welcomes feedback on our planning processes. Complaints can be raised directly with the VPA staff member who is dealing with the relevant matter, or can be emailed to info@vpa.vic.gov.au.
As part of the Department of Transport and Planning, the VPA is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 (the Act). It does not tolerate improper conduct by its employees, officers or members, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.
DTP will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure. It will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure.
Information about making a public interest disclosure can be found on the Department’s website here.