Amendment VC55 to the Victorian Planning Provisions was approved by the Minister for Planning on 11 November 2009. The Amendment seeks to address the objectives of Delivering Melbourne's Newest Sustainable Communities and has the following key characteristics:
- The expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary and the rezoning of land to come within the Urban Growth Boundary
- The introduction of Public Acquisition Overlays for the Regional Rail Link, Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor and the two grassland reserves
- Incorporation of the policy elements of Melbourne @ 5 million into the Victoria Planning Provisions
- The introduction of provisions that remove the need for a planning permit for the construction of the Regional Rail Link, and
- The introduction of new controls in the Victoria Planning Provisions regarding the Outer Metropolitan Ring Road/E6 Transport Corridor and to change the definition of metropolitan Melbourne to include the expanded growth areas in the Shire of Mitchell.
The Amendment is yet to receive parliamentary ratification and has not been gazetted. Its final approval and operation is contingent on the passage and enactment of the Planning and Environment Amendment Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on 10 November 2009. For more information on the GAIC Bill, see our previous legal update.
The proposed area of expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary is significant and is intended to accommodate at least an additional 134,000 new homes.
For more information regarding the expanded Urban Growth Boundary or the impact of this expansion on your land please contact us.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
