Victorian Political News		www.robertclark.net

Residents miss out as delays hit new planning laws

News Release 5 April 2000

The Labor Government's proposed new residential code is now running up to six months late, while poor scheduling has prevented many residents from taking part in the Government's public consultation workshops, the Shadow Minister for Planning Robert Clark said today.

The proposed new code was the centrepiece of the Government's State Planning Agenda announced last December, and is intended to replace the Good Design Guide and VicCode1.

When announced, the new code was due to be prepared by June this year, but Mr Clark told State Parliament that on the latest timetable published by the Government:

• preparation of the code has slipped to between September and December 2000;
• two draft practice notes on Neighbourhood Character promised by early 2000 have still not been published and are not listed on the latest timetable; and
• public consultative workshops promised for February will now not be completed until mid-April.

Mr Clark said the delay in implementing the new code is made particularly serious by the fact that the Government has not introduced any interim measures on issues such as setbacks, overshadowing and visual bulk, which can apply while the new code is being developed.

"With the delay in the new code, more and more planning applications continue to be decided under the old rules, even though both sides of politics proposed substantial changes at the election last year, and as early as 10 November last year I drew the Minister's attention in Parliament to the need for interim controls on these issues.

"The Minister would have bipartisan support, as well as strong community support, if he were to introduce such controls even at this late stage.

"Yet not only has the Minister failed to do so, but in trying to juggle two major portfolios as well as his role as Deputy Premier, he has lost track of the timetable for the new code which his own actions have made urgent."

Mr Clark also criticised the scheduling of the 16 public consultative workshops on the new code. He said all of the workshops were scheduled for weekdays during normal working hours. None have been scheduled for weekends or evenings.

"While these hours may make it easier for workshop organisers and planning professionals, they have made it difficult or impossible for many residents to be able to take part and put their point of view - a serious oversight by a Government with an expressed commitment to openness and consultation," Mr Clark said.