{"id":1917,"date":"2014-11-28T19:14:30","date_gmt":"2014-11-28T09:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sos.asn.au\/?p=1917"},"modified":"2015-02-26T21:55:12","modified_gmt":"2015-02-26T11:55:12","slug":"sos-election-eve-planning-update-28-nov-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/2014\/11\/28\/sos-election-eve-planning-update-28-nov-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"SOS Election Eve Planning Update \u2013 28 Nov.2014"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>1 &#8211; SOS candidates&#8217; survey <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2 &#8211; How to vote for better\u00a0representation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>3 &#8211; Summary &#8211; planning policies of the 3\u00a0main parties<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>(1)\u00a0\u00a0 SOS Candidates&#8217; Survey for Election 2014:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The results reveal wide spread concern across Victoria and across the political spectrum,\u00a0with 95% support for reform to improve transparency, accountability and integrity in planning.\u00a0The major issues of concern included public transport, integrity and affordable housing.<\/p>\n<p>No responses were received from Coalition candidates and only a few from ALP candidates. The great majority of responses were from independents and Greens candidates, with a few from some of the micro-parties.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Media Release and Summary of Survey Responses: <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/sos.asn.au\/2014\/11\/17\/media-release-victorian-planning-in-crisis-election-candidates-and-community-agree\/\">http:\/\/sos.asn.au\/2014\/11\/17\/media-release-victorian-planning-in-crisis-election-candidates-and-community-agree\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Table of Individual Candidate Responses (latest update):<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/141122-Planning-Survey-Candidates-RO1.xlsx\">Planning Survey Candidates RO<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>* And if you&#8217;re concerned about how the 3 parties stack up on environmental issues in particular, here&#8217;s the Environment Victoria Election Scorecard:<\/strong>\u00a0<em>\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/environmentvictoria.org.au\/scorecard2014#.VHbTj4dORgI\">http:\/\/environmentvictoria.org.au\/scorecard2014#.VHbTj4dORgI<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>* The real rational behind the East West Link is\u00a0trucks &amp; ports!\u00a0 Here&#8217;s the latest analysis: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/independentaustralia.net\/politics\/politics-display\/the-real-reason-for-the-east-west-link-another-port-in-the-storm,7132\">https:\/\/independentaustralia.net\/politics\/politics-display\/the-real-reason-for-the-east-west-link-another-port-in-the-storm,7132<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>(2)\u00a0\u00a0 SOS suggestions on how to vote for better representation on Nov.29:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(A)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Select candidates with a personal track record of\u00a0integrity and\u00a0action on planning and community issues\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(B)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vote\u00a0below the line in the Upper House\u00a0to make sure your preferences go in order to the candidates of your choice.\u00a0\u00a0 It&#8217;s simple to make a valid vote below the line\u00a0in the Upper House ballot because in Victoria\u00a0you only have to vote for 5 candidates,\u00a0not\u00a0number them ALL in order like the federal Senate\u00a0 <em>(see: \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vec.vic.gov.au\/Voting\/StateElections.html\">http:\/\/www.vec.vic.gov.au\/Voting\/StateElections.html<\/a>).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(C)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Independent &amp; community candidates &#8211; see responses in survey results above. Some community-based candidates of note in\u00a0the metro area include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Rosemary West (Mordialloc)\u00a0<\/strong>who has spent years fighting for better planning and preservation of our Green Wedges, mostly as a progressive councillor at Kingston Council;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Andrew Gunter (Niddrie)<\/strong>, a lawyer, independent community activist and former advisor to the legendary Ted Mack MP in Sydney;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phil Cleary (Upper House \u2013 Northern Metro Region),<\/strong>a social justice campaigner standing for the Voice of the West party which is challenging the neglect of the western suburbs by both Liberal and Labor govts;<\/li>\n<li><strong>Berhan Ahmed\u00a0(Upper House \u2013 Western Metro Region)<\/strong>, a social activist also\u00a0standing for the Voice of the West and 2009 Australian of the Year. Born in Eritrea,\u00a0immigrated from Egypt and gained a\u00a0doctorate in Forest Sciences from Melbourne Uni.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>(3)\u00a0\u00a0 Victorian\u00a0Election 2014\u00a0&#8211; Summary of\u00a0Liberal, Labor and Greens planning policies for Melbourne\u00a0(SOS comments in bold):\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>LIBERALS<\/strong> <strong>\u00a0\u2013 few specific planning policies released:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em> Undertake the biggest modernisation plan in Victoria\u2019s history <strong>(relates to infrastructure issues)<\/strong>.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em> Continue to improve housing affordability<strong>(but affordability is declining)\u00a0<\/strong>and introduce a Housing Affordability Monitor <strong>(to be independent?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em> Boost the capacity of councils in growth areas to cater for their expanding communities by providing extra funding through the $120 million Growing Melbourne Package <strong>(why not\u00a0adequate value capture &amp; developer infrastructure levies?).<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The document is silent on a raft of key controversial urban planning issues like sustainability, VicSmart, VCAT reforms, CBD and activity centre high-rise development, and new state planning rules like Plan Melbourne and the inconsistent implementation of the new planning zones.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more Coalition\u00a0planning policy details:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/vic.liberal.org.au\/Policies\/StateOfOpportunity\"><em>https:\/\/vic.liberal.org.au\/Policies\/StateOfOpportunity<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>LABOR \u2013\u00a0More policies released but too weak or vague:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u2022 \u00a0Review Victorian Planning Provisions to promote certainty in council land use planning <strong>(How? Mandatory planning rules for developers, or state VPPs over-riding local policy?)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Strengthen Heritage Victoria\u2019s role<strong> (How? HV is currently a toothless tiger)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Use established climate change guidelines <strong>(but the old ones\u00a0need updating &amp; strengthening) <\/strong>to\u00a0inform sustainability policies and strategies<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Review VCAT processes in respect to third party appeal rights<strong> (what about\u00a0reducing\u00a0excessive VCAT fees, pre-eminence of local policy,\u00a0limitations on amended plans, etc?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Ensure a better balance of social, environmental and economic outcomes by reviewing VCAT processes and planning and environment laws <strong>(is this a commitment to completely re-write the Planning &amp; Environment Act?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Promote the principles of third party rights in all processes <strong>(promote or introduce?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Accommodating population growth through well planned infill developments <strong>(like at present?), <\/strong>ensuring community views matter when determining neighbourhood character <strong>(How? Deliberative community consultation where govt is committed to acting on its recommendations?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Ensuring local planning schemes promote socially cohesive neighbourhoods through good urban design principles that incorporate diverse and affordable housing<strong> (How? Legislate for mandatory diversity-in-design limits and value capture\/property development fees?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Ensuring health and well-being issues are considered throughout the planning system\u2019s legislative and policy framework <strong>(good, but again that would require\u00a0re-writing\u00a0the Planning Act) \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Using objective criteria<strong> (don\u2019t they exist already?)<\/strong> to identify strategic locations for development close to transport and other services <strong>(what sort of development, and how is that different from Labor and Liberal policy over the last 15 years?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Implement and maintain urban growth boundaries for the metropolitan area, etc<strong> (does that mean the existing UGB or will that be re-set and extended yet again?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Strengthen and maintain Victoria\u2019s green wedges by adopting a final urban growth boundary incorporating future green field development <strong>(does this mean an extension of the existing already-enlarged UGB to include hitherto untouched areas for development?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Fund councils impacted by urban and rural land use interface issues <strong>(by how much and to do what?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Devise planning laws to protect agricultural land from inappropriate development<strong> (How?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Work collaboratively with communities to formulate plans aimed at attracting and retaining residents Natural Environment and Urban Open Spaces<strong> (How? Use part of the\u00a0state&#8217;s huge stamp\u00a0duty revenue?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Require council planning strategies to address local environments and conservation<strong> (Council strategies already do this to some extent but are limited mostly by state constraints)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Analyse and approve land uses against stringent sustainability criteria, such as water availability <strong>(what about adequate green open space, optimized building orientation &amp; social amenity, access to a better Public Transport system, etc?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>For more Labor planning policy details, go to pp.72\u00a0\u2013\u00a088 :\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.viclabor.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Victorian-Labor-Platform-2014.pdf\"><em>http:\/\/www.viclabor.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Victorian-Labor-Platform-2014.pdf<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>GREENS\u00a0\u2013 many planning policies are closer to the concerns of community planning groups and residents, but some still lack detail:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0prioritise public transport, rail freight systems and integrated transport hubs<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0meet the shortfall in affordable, public and social housing \u00a0<strong>(How?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0mandatory inclusion of a mix of dwelling sizes in medium and high density general residential re-developments <strong>(determine the mix how?)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Land use and transport decisions should be made <strong>(by which bodies in consultation with who?) <\/strong>after rigorous and transparent cost-benefit analyses, comparing relevant options<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0All significant planning decision-making by local councils, within the statewide planning framework, mandated to include Community Engagement Frameworks <strong>(What sort of consultation? Only for strategic policy or in planning permit decisions as well?)<\/strong>.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0Incorporation in the Planning scheme of the obligations of local and designated decision-making authorities regarding climate adaptation<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0VCAT reverting to being an administrative appeals body only, rather than a de facto planning authority <strong>(fails to recognise the need for wider VCAT reform or that administrative appeals tribunals re-visit local and state govt. decisions so <\/strong><\/em><strong><em>they do act as a planning authority. \u00a0See SOS VCAT Reform Summary, May 2014: \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vcat-reform\">http:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vcat-reform<\/a>\/)<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0mandate responsible authorities to enforce planning permits and prosecute breaches of the Planning and Environment Act <strong>(already exists but convoluted jurisdiction and\u00a0inadequate resources for councils)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><em> \u00a0clustering of medium-density housing, community facilities and commercial developments around neighbourhood shopping centres and other social facilities linked with public transport <strong>(a question of degree but similar to Plan Melbourne and Labor&#8217;s earlier Melbourne 2030)<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>For further Greens\u00a0planning policy details<em>, see: \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/greens.org.au\/policies\/vic\/land-use-planning\">http:\/\/greens.org.au\/policies\/vic\/land-use-planning<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>ENDS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 &#8211; SOS candidates&#8217; survey 2 &#8211; How to vote for better\u00a0representation 3 &#8211; Summary &#8211; planning policies of the 3\u00a0main parties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-statepoliticians","category-statepolitics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1917"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1935,"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1917\/revisions\/1935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sos.asn.au\/vic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}