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| Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning |
| Type | Department |
| Jurisdiction | Victoria (Australia) |
| Formed | 2014 |
| Preceding1 | Department of Sustainability and Environment |
| Preceding2 | Department of Environment and Primary Industries |
| Headquarters | Melbourne |
| Minister1 name | Jaclyn Symes |
| Parent agency | Government of Victoria |
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is an Australian public administration agency operating in Victoria (Australia), charged with land management, water resource administration, environmental protection, and planning policy. The agency interfaces with state institutions such as Parliament of Victoria, executive actors including the Premier of Victoria, and statutory authorities like Catchment Management Authority (Victoria) and Victorian Planning Authority, shaping policy across metropolitan hubs such as Melbourne and regional centers like Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo.
The agency was established following machinery-of-government changes that restructured agencies such as the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries during the premiership of Denis Napthine and subsequent administrations including Daniel Andrews. Its formation reflects continuity with heritage institutions like the Land Conservation Council (Victoria), the historical Soil Conservation Authority (Victoria), and statutory reforms enacted under instruments related to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Victoria), Water Act 1989 (Victoria), and later amendments prompted by events including the Black Saturday bushfires and the 2009 Victorian bushfires Royal Commission. Over time the department absorbed functions formerly held by agencies such as Parks Victoria and coordinated with bodies like the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and municipal councils including the City of Melbourne.
The department administers land-use planning, environmental regulation, water entitlements, biodiversity conservation, and heritage protection, interfacing with legislative frameworks such as the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria), Heritage Act 2017 (Victoria), and water governance under the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. It manages policy instruments affecting protected areas like the Grampians National Park, coastal zones such as the Great Ocean Road, and urban development corridors like the Suburban Rail Loop corridor, while engaging with stakeholders including Traditional Owner groups, corporations like VicRoads, and research bodies such as the University of Melbourne and CSIRO.
Organisational divisions reflect portfolios for planning, water, biodiversity, climate and adaptation, and statutory services, reporting to ministers in the Cabinet of Victoria. The department coordinates with agencies and authorities including Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Goulburn-Murray Water, and the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, while engaging legal instruments overseen by entities like the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and administrative oversight by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Victoria). Leadership has included secretaries appointed through processes aligned with public service frameworks and interactions with unions such as the Public Sector Union.
Policy frameworks encompass statewide planning policy under the Victorian Planning Provisions, water resource management consistent with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, biodiversity initiatives aligned with the Convention on Biological Diversity, and climate adaptation strategies resonant with the Paris Agreement. Programs include urban greening in collaboration with the City of Melbourne, coastal erosion response together with local shires like the Surf Coast Shire, and incentives linked to renewable energy projects involving proponents such as AGL Energy and investment mechanisms influenced by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. The department implements statutory approvals under acts including the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Victoria) and coordinates with federal agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australia).
Major initiatives include metropolitan planning projects coordinated with the Victorian Planning Authority and infrastructure portfolios such as the Level Crossing Removal Project, environmental restoration programs for river systems like the Yarra River, and reserve management in areas including Wilsons Promontory National Park. Water security projects encompass interagency efforts with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and regional water utilities like Barwon Water, while biodiversity and restoration funding supports corridors such as the Great Ocean Road region and species recovery for taxa linked to listings under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Partnerships extend to universities including Monash University and community groups such as Landcare networks.
Governance operates through ministerial accountability to the Parliament of Victoria, statutory reporting obligations, and oversight by independent regulators including the Victorian Auditor-General's Office and tribunals such as the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The department is subject to public sector standards enforced by the Victorian Public Sector Commission and participates in interjurisdictional forums with bodies like the Council of Australian Governments and the National Water Commission (Australia), ensuring compliance with instruments including state legislation and bilateral agreements with the Commonwealth of Australia.
The department has faced scrutiny over decisions involving planning approvals for projects associated with corporations such as Lendlease and infrastructure consents for developments impacting heritage places like Port Phillip Bay and regional landscapes near Macedon Ranges, provoking debate in forums including the Supreme Court of Victoria and media outlets covering disputes involving councils such as the Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Criticisms have touched on water allocations linked to the Murray-Darling Basin debates, native vegetation clearing controversies, and the pace of responses to events like the Black Summer bushfires and coastal erosion at sites including the Bellarine Peninsula, prompting reviews and inquiries by parliamentary committees and investigations by the Victorian Ombudsman.
Category:Government agencies of Victoria (state)