A RAFT of of state government zoning reforms should give the community more say in planning, according to Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin.
As part of the biggest changes to zoning since the 1990s, the government is planning to bring in new restrictions in some areas and loosen rules in others.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy says that in neighbourhood residential zones, local features will be protected.
The toughest restrictions will apply to developments and subdivisions, while general residential zones will allow for modest development.
Residential growth zones will allow for high-density developments near activity centres and railway stations.
Cr Griffin hopes the new neighbourhood residential zone will help maintain an area’s character. “It will give some power back to the community,” he said.
“It takes away the stigma of VCAT [Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal] which hangs over these things. It takes away some of their power to overturn council decisions.”
A council spokesman said: “While reforms are materialising, until we’ve had the opportunity to study the detail of the proposed reforms and how they will be implemented, it’s too early to comment on likely impacts.”
Mr Guy said the package of reforms would provide greater certainty in residential areas, with changes to rural zones hoped to make it easier for farmers to operate and to attract and retain people living and working in regional areas.
Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said the reforms gave councils the tools to provide greater protection for neighbourhood amenity and reduce conflict in planning.
