Government reverses

By Melissa Meehan
THE State Government has reversed the former Labor Government’s VC71 Planning Scheme changes which, they say, would have allowed huge, out of character developments along every bus and train corridor across the Greater Dandenong community.
The amendment changes Clause 16 – Housing of the State Planning Policy Framework (SPPF) by removing Melbourne @ 5 Million policies relating to intensive housing development along public transport corridors and around train stations from the clause.
Inga Peulich, State Liberal Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region said residents across Greater Dandenong will now be saved from the “one-size-fits-all approach to metropolitan planning”.
“By overturning these planning law changes, we have shown that we are acting very swiftly to protect Greater Dandenong’s community and amenity,” Ms Peulich said.
“What was even more of a concern was there were no employment or transport strategies attached to this plan, nor necessary investment in infrastructure and services for our already under-funded growth corridor,” she said.
During the final week of State Parliament, the Victorian Liberal National Coalition moved a disallowance motion to put a halt to the amendment, but was stopped by the Greens/Labor alliance supporting VC71.
Ms Peulich praised the efforts of the Liberal candidates for their campaigns on VC71 to draw it to the attention of their respective communities in Greater Dandenong.
“The Baillieu Government has made good on their election promise by revoking VC71 and will now properly define areas for development to provide certainty to residents, ratepayers and developers,” Ms Peulich said.
Greater Dandenong’s Planning and Design Manager Jody Bosman said the council would continue to assess all applications on their merits.