Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee

Transcription

1 Victorian Planning System Ministerial Advisory Committee Planning Institute of Australia 29 July 2011 Steve Dunn, PIA Vic President James Larmour-Reid, Sub Committee Chairperson Stuart Worn, PIA Vic Executive Officer

2 Planning Institute of Australia The Planning Institute aims to serve the public interest of urban and regional communities through its activities: Promotion of the professional interests of its members Establishment and administration of standards of professional competency Provision of training to increase its members knowledge base Facilitation of a forum to exchange views on planning issues Advancement of planning issues to the community, governments, private sector and academia

3 Planning Institute of Australia PIA represents approximately 5,000 members working across Australia and internationally. Around 50% of PIA members work in strategic, development assessment or other planning roles within Local Government. The remaining 50% are primarily engaged in private consulting, state government, academia and as students. The Institute s members are required to have qualifications from accredited universities and relevant industry experience.

4 Planning Institute of Australia The Institute on recognises individuals planners as members. PIA has the membership grades of: Associate Member Student Graduate Honorary Fellow The Institute has Chapters and Special Interest Groups concerning: Urban & Regional Planning Economic Planning Social Planning Environmental Planning Transport Planning Planning Law Fellow Urban Design Young Planners Consultant Planners Local Government Planners

5 Relevant Recent Submissions and Advocacy Planning & Environment Act Review VCAT Review Parliamentary Inquiry into environmental design & public health Parliamentary Inquiry into liveability of outer suburban areas PIA Call to Action Planning for Health and Wellbeing Call to Action

6 How is the Institute preparing its submission Initial questionnaire (results discussed later) Extension of question, with greater publicity Planning News articles Seminar - 26 August (panel of presentations followed by facilitated workshop) Facebook discussion Engaging Chapters and Special Interest Groups (Environmental, Social, Transport, Economic, Law, Urban design, Local Govt, Young Planners, Consultant Planners) Encouraging our network of previous partners to jointly submit (VicHealth, Heart Foundation, Vic Walks, Cancer Council, Aust. Drug Foundation, etc)

7 Key External Information Grattan Institute Report - The housing we d choose Productivity Commission Report - Performance Benchmarking of Australian Business Regulation: Planning, Zoning and Development Assessments Development Assessment Forum Best Practice Model Previous submissions to the Modernising Victoria's Planning Act review undertaken in 2009 Previous submissions to the VCAT President s Review undertaken in 2009

8 PIA s Initial Comments Implement Best Practice Models Categorise types of assessment based on streams which reflect the location, size and impact of the proposed development Code Assessment Delegation to suitably qualified and experienced officers Expert Panels (DAC s/pra s) Public notification and appeal rights

9 PIA s Initial Comments Review the objectives and the name of the Act Call it the Planning Act it needs to be a holistic act Introduce good health outcomes as an objective The act needs to deliver triple bottom line (social, economic and environmental) outcomes

10 PIA s Initial Comments Consistency and continuity with related legislation Transport Health Equal Opportunity Building Heritage

11 PIA s Initial Comments Independent oversight Establish a State Planner to report on the implementation of the act and key government policy to assist with resourcing underperforming councils to de-politicalise the planning system by dealing with projects previously called in by the Minister Follows the best practice example set by Queensland

12 Risk Mitigation PIA s Initial Comments Essential issue for the successful implementation of Code Assessment Accreditation of the planning professions training programs Licensing of the profession (utilise established industry standards such as PIA s CPP qualifications) Introduces a quality assurance and audit program Similar to peer professions such as architects, engineers, land surveyors, building surveyors, etc

13 PIA s Initial Comments Alignment of Policy and Legislation Metro Strategy Regional Strategies Continuity between State and Local Government policies Clearer delineation of State and local policy priorities

14 PIA s Initial Comments VPP s & Regulations Simultaneously review planning fees to support and fund broader planning process reforms Planning permits should not be required for code assessment approvals Refine and reduce the SPPF objectives Retain performance based philosophy, using standards and codes to simplify processes for low impact matters DCP s are currently not effective or consistent

15 Questions asked in survey 1. Which sector do you work in? 2. Is the present planning system right for Victoria? 3. Rank what you consider to be the 5 biggest issues or problems of the Victorian planning system in order from 1-5, with 1 being the worst issue or problem. 4. Rank what you consider to be the best opportunities to fix the problems and/or improve the system from 1-5, with 1 being the best opportunity 5. Rank what you consider to be the 5 most positive things about Victoria's system in order from 1-5, with 1 being the best thing. 6. How can the planning system be made easier to access and understand? 7. Are the respective roles of the State and Local government in the planning system still appropriate? (So far 58 detailed responses have been received in 5 working days)

16 Preliminary Questionnaire Findings Which sector do you work in? 5.4% 5.4% 43.2% 54.1% Public Private Academic Student

17 Preliminary Questionnaire Findings Is the present planning system right for Victoria? % % 20.7% 0 Yes No Unsure

18 Preliminary Questionnaire Findings Biggest Issue in the Victorian Planning System Delays/Time frames Planning schemes (various aspects) Lack of emphasis on Climate Change/sustainability Inconsistency/lack of certainty in and between local governments Infrastructure provision and maintenance Resourcing of local government Urban Sprawl/Difficulty of intensification Permit process (various aspects) Complexity of process VCAT/Appeals process Insufficient public transport Vague State and Local Policy Metro not regional focus Compliance and enforcement Affordable Housing Votes

19 Preliminary Questionnaire Findings Best part of the Victorian Planning System Uniformity across the State/standardized planning schemes and VPPs Centralised website/online accessibility Comprehensiveness Plain english/ease of understanding Votes Easy to use and understand zones & overlays Strategic focus Third party appeal rights Emphasis on triple bottom line Articulation between state and local policy Flexibility to adapt to local circumstances Community engagement

20 Questions?