About

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is a State Government statutory authority that reports to the Minister for Planning.

Victoria is growing, with a projected population of up to 10 million people by 2050.

It is the VPA’s main task to make sure Melbourne and Victoria’s regions remain great places to live. This requires vision and long-term planning, to ensure Victorians have equitable access to employment, public transport, attractive public space and affordable housing.

The VPA was founded in 2006, originally as the Growth Areas Authority (GAA), to plan Melbourne’s new suburbs in our growth corridors.

Our work has since been expanded to undertake strategic planning and coordinated infrastructure for the future growth and transformation of Victoria’s cities and regions – from new suburbs in growth areas, to areas undergoing change and growth in inner and middle Melbourne and our growing regional towns and cities.

Under the Victorian Planning Authority Act 2017 we have a board of directors responsible for determining the general policies and strategic direction of the VPA, with a clear purpose to provide advice and assistance to the Minister for Planning and, from November 2018, to the Minister for Priority Precincts.

The VPA will assist the implementation of the initiatives articulated in the long-term planning blueprint for our capital city, Plan Melbourne 2017-2050. Working closely with councils, government departments and the community, the VPA’s program focuses on land use and infrastructure planning for strategically important precincts.

The VPA work program comprises of projects approved by the Minister for Planning in our most recent annual Business Plan, as subsequently varied by the Minister, either at quarterly reviews or by individual decisions.

For more information on the VPA, refer to:

You can read more information about the VPA’s governance here.