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| Minister for Planning (Victoria) | |
|---|---|
| Title | Minister for Planning |
| Body | Victoria |
| Incumbent | Minister for Planning (Victoria) |
| Department | Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Governor of Victoria |
| Formation | 1969 |
| Inaugural | Bertram Stevens |
Minister for Planning (Victoria) The Minister for Planning (Victoria) is a cabinet position in the State of Victoria responsible for statutory land use, urban development, and strategic infrastructure decisions across metropolitan and regional jurisdictions, working with portfolios such as Treasurer of Victoria, Minister for Housing (Victoria), Minister for Transport Infrastructure (Victoria), Minister for Environment (Victoria). The office operates within frameworks established by statutes like the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and interacts with agencies including the Victorian Planning Authority, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and local authorities such as the City of Melbourne, Greater Geelong City Council, and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
The minister administers the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and oversees instruments such as Planning Scheme Amendments, Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy, Urban Growth Boundary (Victoria), and major project approvals like Suburban Rail Loop and West Gate Tunnel Project, coordinating with statutory bodies including the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Victorian Planning Authority, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Infrastructure Victoria, and agencies like the Victorian Building Authority. Responsibilities include making notices under the Heritage Act 2017, directing metropolitan strategies involving stakeholders like City of Melbourne, Hobsons Bay City Council, Yarra Ranges Shire Council, and interfacing with Commonwealth entities such as the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (Australia) on projects tied to national frameworks like the National Construction Code.
The portfolio traces antecedents to colonial planning roles in the Colony of Victoria and precursors in departments such as the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (Victoria), formalised in modern form during administrative reforms under premiers including Sir Henry Bolte, Jeff Kennett, and John Brumby. The office evolved through legislative milestones like the Town and Country Planning Act 1974 (Victoria), the Planning and Environment Act 1987, and strategic reviews prompted by events such as the Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics urban redevelopment and the Black Saturday bushfires, affecting land use policy, heritage protection involving sites like Royal Exhibition Building (Melbourne), and metropolitan governance reforms mirrored in other jurisdictions such as New South Wales and Queensland.
Notable holders include ministers from parties such as the Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch), the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division), and the National Party of Australia (Victoria), with figures like Richard Wynne (politician), Matthew Guy, Rob Hulls, Joanna Allan involved in high-profile reforms and inquiries including tribunals like the Victorian Ombudsman and commissions such as the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. The ministerial roster has interfaced with premiers including Daniel Andrews, Ted Baillieu, Liberal–National Coalition (Australia), and policy agendas linked to leaders like Steve Bracks and Darren Chester.
Major initiatives overseen by the minister include the Melbourne 2030 planning strategy successor strategies, the implementation of the Metropolitan Planning Strategy, delivery of projects such as the Suburban Rail Loop, approvals for urban renewal precincts like Fishermans Bend, and rezoning programs affecting regions including Hume (Victoria) and Casey (city). Policies intersect with environmental legislation like the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, heritage protections under the Heritage Act 1995 (Victoria), affordable housing programs in collaboration with Housing First models, and infrastructure funding coordinated with Infrastructure Australia and treasury mechanisms from the Victorian Budget.
Administrative support is provided by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, the Victorian Planning Authority, statutory tribunals such as the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, regulatory bodies like the Victorian Building Authority, environmental regulators such as the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, and advisory entities including Infrastructure Victoria and the Victorian Inspectorate. The minister liaises with local governments including the City of Yarra, Monash City Council, Banyule Council, and regional development bodies like Regional Development Victoria.
The portfolio has attracted scrutiny over approvals of projects like the West Gate Tunnel Project, disputes over rezoning at Fishermans Bend, heritage controversies involving sites such as Princess Theatre (Melbourne), challenges from community groups including Protectors of Public Lands Victoria, and criticisms referenced in inquiries by the Victorian Ombudsman and reports by the Auditor-General of Victoria. Debates often involve conflicts between developers represented by entities like the Property Council of Australia, community advocates including Victoria Planning Protests, and statutory oversight bodies such as the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
Category:Victoria (state) ministers