The way forward > Working with local Government

The Government acknowledges that local government has a major responsibility for implementing Melbourne 2030. The scope of the task is extensive. Issues will need to be addressed in detail at local level as well as across larger geographic areas.

Until now, local government has had to plan municipal areas without a metropolitan strategic context. To their credit, councils have managed this difficult task well. In many cases, local councils have produced Municipal Strategic Statements that incorporate many of the directions of Melbourne 2030, and this important work has informed its development. Councils can consolidate and build on this work with little change.

To achieve the changes envisaged in Melbourne 2030 will require ongoing discussion between State and local government, with sustained cooperation and coordination.

Local councils will be asked to address a number of extremely important directions and strategies in reviewing their own planning schemes. The Government recognises that the changes proposed are significant and is prepared to assist in a variety of ways. Local councils have a legitimate role and scope in tailoring implementation to their local circumstances, provided the policies are followed and objectives are achieved.

Regular forums that can deal with cross-regional issues, such as housing strategies, are one way to achieve a better understanding of common concerns and to reach agreed responses.

Some critical policy areas to be addressed by local councils include:

Activity centres
Melbourne 2030 calls for a major change to the way in which activity centres are classified and planned, to enhance the network of centres and their individual performance. The link between the development of Principal and Major Activity Centres and that of the Principal Public Transport Network needs to be recognised and incorporated in local planning decisions. The role of Principal and Major Activity Centres as locations for higher-density housing is important and will need a proactive response from local councils. The creation or enhancement of the network of Neighbourhood Activity Centres will also be encouraged. The Government will work with local councils and key stakeholders through the Transit Cities program and other programs to provide support.

Housing
Locally prepared housing strategies based on subregional considerations will be important in delivering the strategic direction of a more compact urban area. Such strategies will also help provide a greater range of affordable housing to meet the changing needs of the population. Locations will have to be found for higher density housing across the metropolitan area. Increased support will be sought for the provision of social housing, to meet the needs of special groups. The Government will develop a pilot program in a metropolitan subregion to work with local councils, communities and key industry groups in reviewing and confirming existing local housing strategies, or in developing new strategies and other important initiatives in housing provision.

Urban growth boundary
Local councils in the metropolitan area will be asked to suggest minor modifications to the interim urban growth boundary based on anomalies and transitional cases. Councils with designated growth areas will be able to review the boundary in the context of revised development plans for the growth areas. The application of such a boundary around regional cities will be considered as part of the development of regional centre action plans.

Green wedges
Issues related to the management and planning of green wedges will have to be re-examined. This will require the development of revised criteria for rural living develop-ments, and their incorporation into local planning decisions. Local planning authorities will have to provide stronger links to, and support for, catchment management plans and coastal plans (where relevant). Management plans will need to be developed to address the unique development issues affecting each green wedge.

Growth areas
The impact on future planning and delivery of infrastructure and services for growth areas will be significant. The way in which private developments are planned will also be affected as Neighbourhood Principles are applied. Local councils that take in areas designated for urban growth on the fringe will be helped to revise existing plans or to create new plans in light of Melbourne 2030, with joint State-council working arrangements being set up as appropriate. Wherever possible, a metropolitan subregional approach to growth area planning will be utilised.

Regional corridors
In areas along the major regional transport corridors between metropolitan Melbourne and the regional centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and the Latrobe Valley, development planning will soon be needed to enhance and manage the impact of the fast train program and of upgrades to the main road system. Local planning authorities will be invited to work with the Government in developing these corridor plans.

Economic development
A more complex planning approach will be needed to support and encourage economic development and job generation. The identification of existing or emerging employment clusters will mean re-examining the package of planning measures suitable to support such clusters. Better information and analysis of local economies in the regional context will be needed, and greater attention should be given to the impact of other policies in the employment area, such as promotion of infill housing.

Urban quality
Local planning authorities will be encouraged to consider greater focus on issues such as heritage, urban design, safety and cultural development.

Triple-bottom-line
Increasingly, all planning authorities will need to use economic, social and environmental criteria for analysis of individual proposals and development plans, and for monitoring planning decisions. The Government will work with local councils to develop best practice models and share experience in applying new procedures.

Integrated transport services
Transport and land-use planning at local level need to proceed hand-in-hand to achieve Melbourne 2030’s objective of a more sustainable and comprehensive transport system. Local councils, the Government and franchise operators will need to work together to develop integrated systems which cater for all groups. New developments should be analysed for total transport impact across all modes.