CEO Update – 16 June 2016

Dear Colleague,

It’s been a busy few weeks but I wanted to again update you on some projects fresh out on consultation, our new management structure and some jobs currently being advertised here at the MPA.

New organisational structure

 In order to prepare the organisation for transitioning into the Victorian Planning Authority, we have updated our structure to recognise our three key work areas.

These groups cover our Urban Renewal, Greenfield and Regional programs.

The changes we are making reflect:

• The new emphasis on our work program as we transition to the VPA, including the urban renewal, regional projects and strategic development sites
• The need for smaller workgroups to focus on specific projects within the work program
• Our desire to be stronger in our consultative processes
• The need for greater managerial support for all members of staff.

In order to help manage our increased workload I have appointed new Directors to these teams to support the new Lead Directors of Steve Dunn (Urban Renewal), Paul Byrne (Greenfields) and Tim Peggie (Regional). The new Directors are:

Urban Renewal

Emily Mottram:

Emily has been managing the planning in Arden and has shown her drive and passion for delivering outcomes for the MPA. Emily came to the MPA at the beginning of 2014, as one of the Department secondees, where she was Acting Assistant Director Urban Economic Policy and Projects.

Emily Hillebrand:

Emily has already made a great contribution to our work in urban renewal areas around Melbourne. Most significantly, she is currently managing the Monash National Employment Cluster. Emily has a background in local government and private consultancy, with around 18 years’ experience. She will initially be concentrating on the Monash corridor.

Growth Areas

Paul Cassidy:

Paul has been with the MPA since July 2008 and during his time has managed a number of high-profile, complex projects, including the Botanic Ridge PSP. He was most recently the MPA’s Open Space Planning Executive and has qualifications in Landscape Architecture, with over 20 years’ experience in various private and local government roles. His key structure plan areas will be in Casey and Cardinia.

Martina Johnson:

Martina has been leading the Kororoit and Plumpton PSPs since starting at the MPA in January 2014 and more recently overseeing the Mt Atkinson/Tarneit Plains PSP. She has been managing a small team of planners within the MPA over the past six months, which she has excelled at. Martina has qualifications in Architecture and Regional and Urban Planning.

Regional

Karoline Ware

Karoline has recently been the MPA’s lead project manager for Fishermans Bend and has been working over in the Fishermans Bend Taskforce since January. Karoline has excellent stakeholder management skills and over 20 years of experience in state and local government. Her qualifications are in Urban Policy and Planning.

Other key units remain largely unchanged. The Technical Services group, incorporating the Corporate Services and Infrastructure and Graphics Services teams, will be managed by Lead Director Ed Small and the Director of Infrastructure and Graphics Services, Mark Knudsen.

Jane Monk will report to me as the Director Innovation and Reform around some significant projects she is managing and Rachel Dapiran will be the Lead Director of the Partnerships and Communication Team.

Sunshine National Employment Cluster – now consulting

On Friday we will be launching the beginning of consultation on key ideas for the Sunshine National Employment Cluster at a Business Seminar, together with the City of Brimbank.

The key ideas are aimed at significantly boosting business and jobs in the Sunshine Cluster and building on its reputation as an emerging medical and research precinct for Melbourne’s West. Initial ideas include rezoning sites to promote more commercial uses, greening the suburb with attractive boulevards, encouraging greater worker amenity and services in the area and improving transport connections.

A major new hub is developing around the Sunshine Public Hospital, with new healthcare and education facilities being established on the hospital grounds and in surrounding areas. The State Government has invested more than $2 billion in the Sunshine Cluster in recent times, with major projects including the Furlong Road and St Albans level crossing removals and the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

The MPA is working closely with Brimbank City Council and will host various business events to seek feedback on the key ideas for the area. The MPA will also have an online consultation portal to inform and survey a wider group of business owners and residents in the area. The MPA will be consulting until July 31, and all suggestions will be used to inform a Framework Plan for the area, which will then be released for further consultation next year. The Framework Plan will also respond to directions arising from the refreshed Plan Melbourne. For more information, and to give us your ideas visit www.shapevictoria.vic.gov.au

 Plumpton PSP and Kororoit PSP – now on exhibition

The MPA is now consulting on plans for two new greenfield suburbs that will collectively house more residents than the entire inner city suburb of Brunswick.

The two new suburbs are expected to accommodate almost 20,000 dwellings and 14,000 jobs, with a total of 10 schools to be built within them. The overall development will be worth about $10 billion and generate about 1700 jobs over the life of the development.

The suburbs will be located between Caroline Springs and the emerging suburb of Rockbank North in the booming Melton growth corridor. When fully developed they will become home to more than 55,000 residents, making them a huge addition to Melbourne’s future housing supply and providing affordable housing options for many current and future Victorians.

They will be characterised by large open spaces, the beautiful Kororoit Creek and well-designed bicycle networks. At 30km from the CBD, the new suburbs will be closer to central Melbourne than many established areas and linked to the CBD via Caroline Springs Station – due to open in 2017. Importantly, they will not be two new low density suburbs in Melbourne. Rather, both new suburbs will have 16.5 dwellings built per developable hectare and 25 dwellings per developable hectare around town centres. By way of comparison, this means these two new suburbs will be denser than most established Melbourne suburbs.

Both Plumpton and Kororoit will have a number of town centres, which the majority of residents will be able to access by foot. This will create a sense of vibrancy and allow people to easily access all vital services.

Developer contributions totalling around $570 million will be collected by the City of Melton and the State Government to help fund the full range of infrastructure needed, including sports fields, kindergartens, schools and roads.

The MPA has led the PSP in close consultation with the City of Melton. Two information sessions will be held at the Caroline Springs library on Wed 22 June: (Plumpton) & Wed 29 June: (Kororoit)

To find out more and to comment, click here.

Some additional roles

The MPA is looking to bring in some fresh new talent to the organisation as we move towards becoming the VPA. We are advertising some new positions to manage new tasks or replace some vacancies. Some of these close on Monday, so if you know anyone interested please forward them this email or ask them to give me or Elyse Anderson a ring, on 9651 9640.

Technical Project Officer

The MPA is looking for an enthusiastic and suitably qualified civil engineer or planner with 8 – 10 years’ experience in the land development field to assist with the development and implementation of post PSP approvals process reforms. The preferred candidate will have recent experience as a consulting or local government engineer and possess detailed and extensive knowledge of the subdivision approvals and lot certification process.

This can either be a normal employment role, or a secondment from a suitable organisation including Councils. This role provides a great opportunity for a suitably qualified subdivisions or engineer to join a new team which has been set up to deliver the Improving Planning System Productivity in the Development of Melbourne’s Growth Areas: Post PSP Approval Processes.

In particular, you will work be working closely with metropolitan councils, development industry stakeholders and relevant Government departments to assist with undertaking background research and analysis of subdivision approvals process and develop key proposals into workable actions for implementation.

A six to 12-month secondment from local government would be strongly supported.

Remuneration: $80,000 – $120,000 pro rata

Part time, 6 – 12 month fixed term, 3 days.

Strategic Planners and Urban Designers

Various levels, several roles

Key responsibilities: Master planning infill, regional and greenfield areas targeted for growth

Full time – 2-year fixed term positions and one 12-month fixed term maternity leave position.

Graphic and Design Officer

The MPA currently has a position open for a Graphic and Design Officer.

Key responsibilities: Preparing land use planning designs, maps, drawings and publications and through graphic design production and presentation

12 months, Fixed Term – Full Time, Grade 3

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 20 June, 2016.

 Human Resources Coordinator

The MPA currently has a position open for a Human Resources Coordinator.

2 years, Fixed Term – Part Time – 3 days per week.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday 21 June, 2016.

For further information please go to vpa.vic.gov.au/about/job-opportunities/

Finally

Please call our office or me 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.

Regards,

Peter