By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council has made a submission to the State Government regarding its Plan For Victoria at the Tuesday 27 August council meeting.
The Plan For Victoria set targets for councils on housing supply in the next 30 years, while the State Government has begun a submissions process on its eight ‘Big Ideas’ and the housing targets to help form the document.
The Yarra Ranges was given a target of 28,000 new homes by 2051, an average of 1000 homes per year.
Lilydale resident Michelle de Lima, who is also a member of the Lilydale Flood Watch group, spoke in support of Council’s submission and said they appreciate the fact that the Council are advocating to the State Government to have more time for consultation to have its views representative of not just the Council but of the broader community.
“We also note that you seek further consultation with the Government and ideally would like that second round and that you also acknowledge that you have not yet undertaken any engagement within the community about this critical document which also supports the housing strategy,” she said.
“You’ve identified some significant issues and suggestions in relation to the Big Ideas that are incorporated in the attachment and of particular interest to us is idea seven which is more protection from flooding, bushfire and climate hazards.”
The State Government’s ‘Big Ideas’ are as follows:
More homes in locations with great public transport access
More housing options for all Victorians, including social and affordable homes
More jobs and opportunities closer to where you live
More options for how we move from place to place
More certainty and guidance on how places will change over time
More trees and urban greening in our parks and community space
More protections from flooding, bushfire and climate hazards
Greater protection of our agricultural land.
Ms de Lima said she agreed that the short timeframe Council had been asked to respond in was not enough time to provide feedback, and it shouldn’t be rushed given the scope of what is being asked of them.
“We across the shire here believe that you should be really seeking that additional level of consultation, and if that is granted, we would like to be part of that consultation process, the impact this has on the stormwater management, and given what you’ve noted as the risks, inform the risk of the stormwater management plan and the housing strategy,” she said.
Yarra Ranges Council provided outlined detailed recommendations to each Big Idea. The following is a brief summary of their key points on each:
Assistance for land developers to investigate and address land contamination, incentives for land consolidation, assist Councils with parking shortfalls in activity centres, prioritise drainage upgrades in and near neighbourhood activity centres, identify activity centres in inner and middle-ring local government areas that are suitable to substantial increases in residential density and leverage state-level infrastructure to enable higher density and social housing as well as consider new planning controls to allow this in desirable areas such as near train stations.
Review legislative changes that require Councils to negotiate with developers on social and affordable housing, explore reforms to improve certainty such as introducing inclusionary zoning, review the Windfall Gains Tax, explore tax incentives for social and affordable housing including Federal tax reform advocacy, review all State Government owned land in and near neighbourhood activity centres, introduce a state-level policy on housing diversity and further investigate the impact of short term rental accommodation (STRA) on the supply of rentals.
Consider new planning policies and requirements for acoustic treatments to safeguard the amenity of residential development in identified areas, including reviewing the Mixed Use Zone.
Make car use more sustainable through tax incentives to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and multi-level car parking structures in activity centres due to the inherent reliance on cars in outer suburban areas where distance and topography disincentivise walking and cycling, deliver the Lilydale Bypass, expand the footpath network in priority areas, duplicate the rail line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale with improved frequency and reliability, a new station for the Kinley development, manage traffic on Lilydale Main Street, a wholesale review of the bus network, broader improvements to train lines in the Yarra Ranges, address constraints at Ringwood Junction and single-track sections on the Belgrave line, introduce pulse timetables, introduce more bike racks on buses and install real-time parking technology.
Clarity and leadership from the State Government on how housing targets can be achieved without detriment to neighbourhood character and amenity and make the Victoria Planning Provision controls regarding activity centres less lengthy and confusing
Consider the impact of private land as well as public land in improving greenery in communities, balance competing priorities of useable open space and recreation needs for activity centres, consider fire risk, consider crime prevention possibilities through environmental design, selection of species in regards to climate change effects, potential for planting through Melbourne Water’s stormwater management projects and have regard for the existing local Council guidelines and laws.
Provide clear written direction on the expectations of housing strategies, provide an avenue of funding assistance for required studies, identify and provide funding assistance for drainage infrastructure capacity upgrades in activity centres and reduce expectations for housing growths in the Yarra Ranges due to environmental risks in the municipality.
Incorporate stronger recognition of the role of tourism in supporting agriculture while also setting limitations on the scale of tourism in planning policy, implement planning scheme changes to address the region’s long-standing issue with soil-dumping on agricultural land, provide planning permit exemptions for rural worker’s accommodation in Green Wedge zones and ease restrictions on agricultural producers in green wedge areas to encourage more innovation.
Streeton Ward Councillor Andrew Fullagar said the submission outlines our unique situation, bridging urban and rural, and clarifies the challenges that lie ahead to accommodate development while preserving our recreational and agricultural land.
“It notes that the pursuit of one big idea brings challenges in others, they’re not all mutually agreeable, and that the financial pressures in our community and at council exacerbate many of the issues,” he said.
“While we welcome more clarity and certainty from the state government, it seems we are playing a game of catch-up, with the goalposts regularly shifting, which puts enormous pressure back on council.”
Yarra Ranges Council submission also outlined their initial concerns with the housing targets.
To view the full submission, visit: yarraranges.moderngov.com.au/documents/s17368/Plan%20for%20Victoria%20Submission.pdf.
