Mayor’s warning on planning legislation

MOORABOOL Shire mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor has warned that residents may lose the opportunity to learn of proposed developments – and even the chance to comment on them – under legislation currently before the Victorian parliament.

“A key part of the proposal is that some types of development may no longer require public notice or community feedback,” he said, commenting on the State Government’s Planning Amendment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill.

“In these cases, residents may not receive the usual neighbour letters or see planning signs displayed, which could cause unease, confusion and anger amongst residents.

“These reforms are intended to support more housing supply, but they also mean the community may have fewer opportunities to be formally notified or comment on some applications.”

The bill, which is before the upper house with further debate still to occur, is a response to the state’s housing problems.

It proposes new, faster pathways for some planning permit applications and, if passed, will change how certain decisions are made.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has publicly expressed general opposition to the bill as it stands, saying that it would “deliver the worst of both worlds”.

“There still won’t be enough homes built, and those that are built will fail the next generation,” it has said.

“Councils support more homes.

“We don’t support reforms that sacrifice both delivery and quality.”

The association has called for a public inquiry on the issue.

When she introduced the bill, Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny described it as the biggest overhaul of Victoria’s planning laws in decades.

She said the legislation would cut red tape, speed up decisions and result in things being built faster so more young people can have a home of their own.

It would bring Victoria’s old-fashioned “NIMBY” planning laws into the modern era with faster timelines for simpler projects, she said.

Cr Venditti-Taylor encouraged people to find out more about the bill by visiting legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/planning-amendment-better-decisions-made-faster-bill-2025 or by contacting their local MP.

“We will keep the community updated as more details become available,” he said.