Streamlining for Growth

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) has launched a new program that will help speed up the supply of land for jobs and housing.

The Streamlining for Growth Program (2016-17) is a support and capacity-building initiative for Victorian councils. With a program budget of $4.1 million, the VPA will provide targeted funding and staff resources to selected projects which meet program criteria.

The program’s targeted funding and assistance will help build capacity in councils to unblock strategic planning system delays and speed up projects that will result in employment growth and/or increased housing choice and affordability.

The program will work with regional councils to deliver:

• capacity-building initiatives
• preparation of strategic framework plans that respond to Regional Growth Plans
• master planning for strategic sites
• related activities to ensure a land supply pipeline to facilitate regional growth.

Assistance to metropolitan councils will be targeted toward:

• streamlining post-Precinct Structure Plan subdivision approvals processes
• strategic planning backlog support in greenfield growth areas, and
• planning backlog support in established metropolitan areas, to help clear planning system blockages that will unlock brownfield and strategic urban renewal development sites.

To be eligible for assistance, Streamlining for Growth projects will need to demonstrate the potential to deliver significant time and cost savings to the planning system. They should also be capable of delivery within the current financial year.

The VPA is now working with councils to identify suitable projects. For further information about the program and project selection criteria, please contact Dean Rochfort, Program Manager, by telephoning 03 9651 9600 or by emailing dean.rochfort@vpa.vic.gov.au