City shares priorities for state plan

THE State Government is calling for municipalities to make submissions highlighting priority projects for their communities as part of the Big Ideas for Victoria’s Future campaign.

City of Ballarat strategic planning officers have provided feedback on what will be important to the region in the coming years.”At the August Planning Delegated Committee Meeting, council was presented with a recommended submission…to the State Government, following the recent public consultation launched by the government on the Plan for Victoria,” said City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson.

“Council discussed the State Government’s specific changes proposed to the planning system and acknowledged the need for the Victorian Government to recognise Local Government as local experts in planning and growth. It was resolved to submit the proposed submission to the Minister for Planning.”

Covered in the submission was the City of Ballarat’s support for the need to establish a statewide planning framework that recognises the unique challenges of regional cities, housing affordability, housing supply as a critical state-wide challenge, the City’s new Housing Strategy and Growth Areas Framework Plan, the need for collaboration around affordability, a broad Victorian planning policy, guidance for regional councils, and ongoing consultation on housing targets.

On the south-western fringes of Ballarat is the Golden Plains Shire, where municipal officers have worked with the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils and G21 Geelong Region Alliance to share their thoughts on what will be important to the region in the coming years.

“Council supports the intent of Plan Victoria’s goal of promoting more diverse and affordable housing, including social housing, particularly in growth areas like Golden Plains,” said Golden Plains Shire interim CEO Michael Tudball.

“This aligns with our Growing Places Strategy which will be presented to council at its August meeting for endorsement, ahead of further public feedback and submissions. “Additionally, we have spoken about the urgent need to address enabling infrastructure to support housing growth, including community infrastructure (sporting fields, play spaces, schools etc) and trunk infrastructure (sewer, water, digital etc).”

Mr Tudball said transport solutions are, and will be, essential as developments and infill housing continue to pop up across the growing shire. “In our submission, council highlighted the importance of protecting agricultural land, ensuring its continued productivity and sustainability,” he said.

“We also stressed the need to enhance community resilience in the face of emergencies such as fire, flood and biosecurity.

“Finally, we are advocating that the planning and development processes need to be streamlined to enable certainty for Councils, community and developers whilst respecting the needs and aspirations of our diverse communities.”

The full City of Ballarat submission can be read in the August Planning Delegated Committee Meeting Agenda on the municipality’s website. Submissions to Big Ideas for Victoria’s Future close today, Friday 30 August, and a new plan for Victoria is expected to be released in late-2024.