CEO Update

Dear Colleague,

Statement of Expectations

The Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, has recently released the Victorian Planning Authority’s 2017-18 Statement of Expectations.

This marks an exciting new chapter in the VPA’s history, outlining all planning projects that the Minister expects us to work on throughout the current financial year. Under our new Act, the Authority’s mandate derives solely from the direction of the Minister – so the Statement of Expectations has a new significance in determining where and how we operate.

The Statement is updated on an annual basis to reflect Victorian Government policies and public priorities. These include Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 and Homes for Victorians; key policy documents that help shape Victoria’s approach to managing strong population growth.

The VPA will be undertaking planning for several strategic sites in inner and middle Melbourne. Many of these sites are former industrial areas that have great potential for development and growth.

Plan Melbourne calls for 70% of new housing to be created in already established suburbs.  Achieving this target requires broad action on a range of fronts and the VPA has a key role to play, primarily by supporting the redevelopment of designated sites and areas. Many of these are close to jobs, transport and facilities and renewal has huge potential to create vibrant, walkable, mixed-use communities. The VPA is committed to working with all parties in these areas to enable quality development outcomes.

The Government’s commitment to creating quality communities and affordable housing on Melbourne’s growing urban fringe continues.  The Minister has directed the VPA to prepare precinct structure plans for 17 new communities in Melbourne’s growth areas. This program, announced earlier this year, will result in enough zoned land for an additional 100,000 housing lots. And we will be working hard with our government partners to line up infrastructure decisions behind these PSPs to ensure the needs of growing communities can be met.

And our role in the regions is ramped up, with a range of new projects to be identified and delivered across Victoria’s regional cities, peri-urban towns and other urban areas.

Our new work program includes exciting projects that will deliver vibrant communities, quality environments and diverse job opportunities across Victoria.

For more information of the Statement of Expectations, and to read the full project list, click here.

Some of the exciting new projects in this plan include:

Defence Site Maribyrnong

The VPA is working closely with the Commonwealth and the City of Maribyrnong to progress a planning framework that will facilitate the redevelopment of Defence Site Maribyrnong. The location of this site and its historical use by the Department of Defence present some key considerations for future development, particularly in relation to land contamination, transport access, heritage and the Maribyrnong River interface. Notwithstanding these considerations, the site represents a major strategic redevelopment opportunity.

Caulfield Station Precinct

The VPA is leading the preparation of a structure plan for the Caulfield Station Precinct in collaboration with Glen Eira and Stonnington councils. Several key activities attract workers, residents and visitors to the area including Monash University’s Caulfield campus, Caulfield Racecourse, Glen Eira College, retail outlets, parks and recreational areas. The structure plan will promote transit-orientated development and identify opportunities for growth in employment, education, housing and associated activities. We will also work with the Melbourne Racing Club and our government partners to seek to unlock future shared recreational use of racecourse land.

Preston Market

The VPA will be reviewing the current planning controls for the Preston market site and updating them where necessary. This review will offer the opportunity for the site to redevelop, while simultaneously protecting the future of the market and surrounding neighbourhood.

The Minister has currently applied temporary interim mandatory height controls to the market footprint until June 2019 to protect the character of the market – giving the VPA sufficient time to consult with all relevant stakeholders. We will be working with Darebin City Council and consulting with stakeholders and the community to create permanent controls for the market.

Heidelberg Train Station Precinct

The VPA is working in partnership with Austin Health and local and state agencies to prepare a master plan for the Heidelberg Station and the Austin Hospital precinct. This plan will look to improve access between the train station and the hospital and will explore integrated development opportunities in and around Heidelberg Major Activity Centre.

The plan will complement upgrades to the Hurstbridge line.

Lilydale Quarry Redevelopment

We will be assisting Yarra Ranges Council with the preparation of a comprehensive development plan for Lilydale Quarry. This area is a strategic site for urban renewal. A comprehensive development plan will outline future development for the site, to make room for residential and community activities.

To read more about these and other projects the VPA will be working on based on the Statement of Expectations please head to our website.

We will also be continuing work on a number of key state-significant precincts, including:

Parkville National Employment and Innovation Cluster

The Parkville National Employment and Innovation Cluster (NEIC) is an internationally significant employment hub on the doorstep of Melbourne’s central business district. The VPA is working to prepare a framework plan for the precinct, located just north of the Melbourne CBD.

This framework plan will be developed in partnership with the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office, which was recently established by the Victorian Government to drive jobs and economic development through the commercialisation of research. The framework plan will assist government in making best use of its assets and help to identify future investment priorities and future changes to planning policies.

Flinders to Richmond

The VPA is working closely with state and local government partners to progress a planning framework for the Flinders Street Station to Richmond Station urban renewal precinct, including the Southbank Arts Precinct.

The precinct is of great cultural significance and has a long history of welcoming people from near and far to gather and celebrate sport, art and life. The collection of sporting, art and cultural venues contributes to Victoria’s world-famous liveability and helps place Melbourne on the global stage, attracting millions of visitors each year. The precinct also takes in Melbourne’s most prized gardens and public spaces – including Kings Domain, Yarra Park and the Yarra River.

Planning for the precinct will be done in conjunction with DEDJTR and will set clear objectives for the precinct’s future.

Streamlining for growth

We are continuing to deliver the Government’s innovative Streamlining for Growth Program; providing assistance and grants to councils for projects that result in new housing, jobs and infrastructure.

Of the programs $5 million annual budget, over $2 million has been allocated to regional councils, helping to grow Victoria’s diverse regional cities and towns. There will shortly be some further announcements about the next round of approved projects.

Finally

Please call our office or me on (03) 9651 9600 if you have any questions or suggestions on these or any other items, or reply accordingly if you no longer wish to receive these emails.

Best regards,

Stuart Moseley