$9.7 million to cater for Vic's growing population
The Victorian government will spend $9.7 million over the next four years to plan for Melbourne’s growth as well as the needs of growing regional communities and coastal areas, Victorian planning minister Matthew Guy has announced.
Mr Guy said as part of the 2011-12 Victorian Budget, the state government was delivering on its commitment to develop a Metropolitan Planning Strategy to identify and accommodate population growth and demographic change as well as transport and infrastructure needs, employment locations, social and community needs and the tools required to manage growth.
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"We have committed to a two-year consultation program and the Department of Planning and Community Development will talk to stakeholders and the community to understand and analyse metropolitan and community planning issues and look at possible locations for future growth.
"The Metropolitan Planning Strategy will seek to give communities and business the confidence that growth and changes are being managed, and provide councils with the ability to plan and manage local needs and the flexibility to manage growth."
Mr Guy said funding had also been committed to support detailed coastal mapping of Victoria's coastline in preparation for storm surges and probable sea-level rise.
"The Coalition Government believes all Victorians should be prepared for the impacts of climate change on land in our coastal regions, while also acknowledging that Labor's planning policies have hurt Victorian families along the Victorian coast from Portland to Ninety Mile Beach and Gippsland," Mr Guy said.
"If people have an existing permit and comply with all local requirements, they should be able to build upon their land at their own risk.
"Responding to planning requirements following coastal mapping means consulting with local communities to develop appropriate strategies that identify climate impact risks, including establishing appropriate planning policies and controls to guide future development."
