In an announcement that aligns closely with the UDIA Advocacy Agenda, the Minister for Planning has granted $5.7 million funding for 51 projects that will cut red tape, streamline approval processes and help councils plan for the future under the Victorian Planning Authority’s (VPA) Streamlining for Growth program.

The projects will look at optimising land use, creating jobs hubs, planning for new suburbs, attracting investors, trialling new technology, revitalising tired areas and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, with support from the VPA.

The funding includes:

$2.1 million for regional VIC to go towards 25 projects that will help regional cities and towns plan for their future and identify new infrastructure needs;

More than $1.75 million for In Melbourne’s greenfield growth corridors to speed up subdivision approvals, with key initiatives including a power utilities approvals facilitiation manager to enable faster connections to new estates and new IT systems to speed up council processes.; and

Almost $1.8 million to Melbourne’s established areas for 11 projects that will fund planning for key strategic sites.

UDIA commends the Andrews Government and the VPA on this announcement and looks forward to continuing to engage on behalf of industry through the Streamlining for Growth program. 

Click here to read the announcement from the VPA.

This announcement comes after the Minister introduced changes to the Victorian planning system through Government’s Smart Planning program last month, including a new Planning Policy Framework that integrates state and local planning policies, slashing duplication and reducing conflicting policy – a reform that UDIA Victoria strongly advocated for throughout the Smart Planning consultation phase.