Recent news

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Recent news

This page contains news items displayed on DPCD's Planning home page over the last six months.

November 2009
Planning For New Communities Takes a Step Forward
The Victorian Government has introduced the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution into Parliament and tabled Amendment VC55, taking another important step towards delivering Melbourne’s newest sustainable communities.

Approved World Heritage Environs Area Strategy Plan
The Minister for Planning has approved the World Heritage Environs Area Strategy Plan: Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens to protect and manage the World Heritage values of the site. The approved plan can be viewed on the Heritage Victoria website.

October 2009
Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution - draft legislation released
The Victorian Government has released the draft legislation for the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) for public comment.

Bushfire - planning and building resources
You can now access bushfire planning and building resources information from a new web page that consolidates the information on our site and links to related useful sites.

September 2009
Amendment VC60 - general amendment
Amendment VC60 introduced changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes on 21 September 2009, including: renewable energy, maritime precinct policy, river health, broiler farms, native vegetation exemption clarification, subdivision of land in more than one zone and a number of minor matters including domestic animal enclosures. Advisory note 22: AmendmentVC60, September 2009 explains these changes.

New interim planning provisions for bushfire protection
Amendment VC61 introduces interim provisions to enable the removal, destruction or lopping of vegetation to reduce fuel load around buildings used for accommodation and on roadsides to assist with minimising risk to life and property from bushfire. More information is available from an advisory note, the DSE website and the media release.

Activity Centre Boundaries and the new Activity Centre Zone
The Minister for Planning has announced the release of a new Activity Centre Zone and approved criteria for establishing boundaries at activity centres. More information...

New interim planning provisions for bushfire protection
The Victorian Government has announced interim planning provisions to simplify residents' entitlements to clear native vegetation around their homes as part of their preparations for the 2009/10 fire season. The changes include a '10/30' right for clearing around buildings used for accommodation and clearing vegetation along property boundary fence-lines. Please note that the interim planning provisions will become operative once an amendment to all planning schemes is gazetted by the Government. To be notified when the amendment is gazetted subscribe to DPCD's Planning Matters email information service. More information is available from the DSE website and the media release.

August 2009
Modernising Victoria's Planning Act: Response papers released
Many valuable suggestions were made to the discussion paper. Five papers have now been prepared by the Department that respond to the issues and submissions, and set out in more detail the proposals for change to the Act.

Decision allows for $25 million bitumen storage facility
Approval has been granted to allow development of a bitumen storage facility at Crib Point. Read more about the Advisory Committee report and the Minister's decision.

Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee established
An Advisory Committee has been established to investigate ways in which land-use planning and development controls can best support the policy for managing the coastal impacts of climate change as outlined in the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008.

July 2009
Interested in a career in Planning?
Visit our stand at the Herald Sun Melbourne Career Expo from 24 - 26 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Read more about careers in planning.

Creating Better Places Grants and Expert Assistance Program now available
Round 5 of the Creating Better Places Program and the Melbourne 2030 Activity Centres Expert Assistance Program 2009-10 are now open. Applications for Creating Better Places close on 25 August 2009.

Growth Area Planning - Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities
Public comment has now closed on the proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary, transport infrastructure projects and grassland reserves. Information about the changes to the Urban Growth Boundary is available on this site. Information about the other projects is available on the Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities website.

New Planning Services Directory available
Looking for planning information or an online service? Visit our new directory of online planning services.

Urban Design Charter released
The Urban Design Charter is a commitment to making cities and towns in Victoria more liveable through good urban design.

June 2009
Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities
Public comment is now sought on the proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary, transport infrastructure projects and grassland reserves.

Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.

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November 2009	Planning For New Communities Takes a Step Forward The Victorian Government has introduced the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution into Parliament and tabled Amendment VC55, taking another important step towards delivering Melbourne’s newest sustainable communities. Approved World Heritage Environs Area Strategy Plan The Minister for Planning has approved the World Heritage Environs Area Strategy Plan: Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens to protect and manage the World Heritage values of the site. The approved plan can be viewed on the Heritage Victoria website.
October 2009	Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution - draft legislation released The Victorian Government has released the draft legislation for the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) for public comment. Bushfire - planning and building resources You can now access bushfire planning and building resources information from a new web page that consolidates the information on our site and links to related useful sites.
September 2009	Amendment VC60 - general amendment Amendment VC60 introduced changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes on 21 September 2009, including: renewable energy, maritime precinct policy, river health, broiler farms, native vegetation exemption clarification, subdivision of land in more than one zone and a number of minor matters including domestic animal enclosures. Advisory note 22: AmendmentVC60, September 2009 explains these changes. New interim planning provisions for bushfire protection Amendment VC61 introduces interim provisions to enable the removal, destruction or lopping of vegetation to reduce fuel load around buildings used for accommodation and on roadsides to assist with minimising risk to life and property from bushfire. More information is available from an advisory note, the DSE website and the media release. Activity Centre Boundaries and the new Activity Centre Zone The Minister for Planning has announced the release of a new Activity Centre Zone and approved criteria for establishing boundaries at activity centres. More information... New interim planning provisions for bushfire protection The Victorian Government has announced interim planning provisions to simplify residents' entitlements to clear native vegetation around their homes as part of their preparations for the 2009/10 fire season. The changes include a '10/30' right for clearing around buildings used for accommodation and clearing vegetation along property boundary fence-lines. Please note that the interim planning provisions will become operative once an amendment to all planning schemes is gazetted by the Government. To be notified when the amendment is gazetted subscribe to DPCD's Planning Matters email information service. More information is available from the DSE website and the media release.
August 2009	Modernising Victoria's Planning Act: Response papers released Many valuable suggestions were made to the discussion paper. Five papers have now been prepared by the Department that respond to the issues and submissions, and set out in more detail the proposals for change to the Act. Decision allows for $25 million bitumen storage facility Approval has been granted to allow development of a bitumen storage facility at Crib Point. Read more about the Advisory Committee report and the Minister's decision. Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee established An Advisory Committee has been established to investigate ways in which land-use planning and development controls can best support the policy for managing the coastal impacts of climate change as outlined in the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008.
July 2009	Interested in a career in Planning? Visit our stand at the Herald Sun Melbourne Career Expo from 24 - 26 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Read more about careers in planning. Creating Better Places Grants and Expert Assistance Program now available Round 5 of the Creating Better Places Program and the Melbourne 2030 Activity Centres Expert Assistance Program 2009-10 are now open. Applications for Creating Better Places close on 25 August 2009. Growth Area Planning - Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities Public comment has now closed on the proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary, transport infrastructure projects and grassland reserves. Information about the changes to the Urban Growth Boundary is available on this site. Information about the other projects is available on the Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities website. New Planning Services Directory available Looking for planning information or an online service? Visit our new directory of online planning services. Urban Design Charter released The Urban Design Charter is a commitment to making cities and towns in Victoria more liveable through good urban design.
June 2009	Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities Public comment is now sought on the proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary, transport infrastructure projects and grassland reserves.