Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Planning issues a joint responsibility

Discussions between the Minister for Planning and Local Government, Mr Robert Maclellan, and the President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Cr Brad Matheson, have resulted in a joint approach to planning issues by State and local governments.

The discussions centred on:

• Better communication between the department, local government, the development industry and the community.
• Enhancing the skills of councillors, council officers and industry practitioners involved in planning matters.

A number of innovative solutions to current planning issues were discussed and the MAV will continue to work with the State Government to develop these.

These include:

• Creating closer links between planning and building permits.
• Council appointing a planning-liaison officer to assist residents in dealing with the planning process.
• The development of best practice methodologies through a joint State and local government working group.

(Joint News Release, Office of the Minister for Planning and Local Government and Municipal Association of Victoria, April 29, 1999)