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Government Land Monitor Guidelines

Role of the Government Land Monitor

The primary role of the Government Land Monitor (GLM) is to provide government with an assurance of accountability and integrity in land transactions. It must ensure that transactions are legal, are in the public interest, and provide best results for government. To achieve this outcome, agencies are required to obtain GLM approval to conduct transactions. The GLM operates within the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Government Land Monitor responsibilities include:

• Administration, review and maintenance of this policy and instructions
• Promotion of best practice in land transactions
• Ensuring that land is sold either by public process or by a process approved by the GLM
• Provision of authoritative advice on land-related matters to the Minister
• Promotion of, and participation in, improvements to legislation affecting land transactions or compensation
• Provision of assistance in mediation and litigation
• Maintaining a public register of Crown land sold by private treaty
• To provide assistance in project facilitation.

What transactions require the approval of the GLM

When an agency proposes to purchase, compulsorily acquire or sell land, or to grant or take an option over land, GLM approval must be obtained:

• Where the amount of the transaction is $250,000 or more
• Where the land is part of a project or where the land being offered for sale or being purchased or compulsorily acquired, comprises two or more properties/parcels/allotments/ titles amounting in total to $250,000 or more
• In circumstances of compulsory acquisition of land where the compensation is $250,000 or more
• In circumstances of compensation payable pursuant to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 where the compensation is $250,000 or more
• In circumstances of a transaction conducted under the Land Act 1958 where the consideration if $250,000 or more
• Where it is proposed to grant or take an option over land which has a market value of $250,000 or more
• Where directed by the Minister
• Where there is a proposed change to a previous approval of the GLM
• Where the land is proposed to be sold by private treaty, the sale requires the approval of the Minister irrespective of value (refer to section 4.4 of GLM Policy - see below)
• For trade sales, sales of infrastructure assets and state-owned enterprises involving land in accordance with section 6.6 of GLM Policy - see below)

Unless special arrangements have been made with the GLM, there must be no unconditional commitment or agreement, including ‘without prejudice’ offers, before approval for a transaction is obtained from the GLM. In disputed matters which are before a court or tribunal or the subject of mediation or arbitration, an agency may make an offer conditional upon obtaining GLM approval of that offer.

Government Land Monitor Publications

For further information regarding valuation requirements for the purchase, compulsory acquisition and sale of land, please refer to the publication below:

Government Land Monitor Policy and Instructions for the Purchase, Compulsory Acquisition and Sale of Land (PDF - 313 Kb)


Contact the Government Land Monitor

Mr Murray Carman
Director, Land Monitoring
Department of Planning and Community Development
Level 7, 8 Nicholson Street
East Melbourne 3000
(+61 3) 9637 9594
murray.carman@dpcd.vic.gov.au