ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS

• Launched the Residential Development Index (RDI), which called out the oversupply myth by alerting Government, media and the general public to big discrepancies in the housing demand and supply levels being forecast, planned for, and delivered. This has set the scene for improved population growth forecasting to establish a better fact base for decision-making around Government infrastructure investment and housing sector policy.

• Led the charge for better governance, transparency and spending of the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) fund, driving Government to commit over 58% of funds collected in 2016/17 (as of Dec 2017, with the assurance of significantly more to come by July 2018) with a renewed focus on longer term, significant growth area infrastructure projects.

 

•  Influenced State Government to address issues with GAIC Works-in-Kind (WIK) agreements, which subsequently saw the first GAIC WIK agreement announced in 2017 after years of policy development and industry engagement. VPA has now established a GAIC WIKs Working Group with UDIA Victoria as a key member to further address industry issues hindering the agreement process.  

• Bolstered the case against parliamentary revocations of Planning Scheme Amendments with a widely distributed industry policy position and media release that were both read aloud and referred to repeatedly in Parliamentary debate.

• Strategically steered Government’s Smart Planning program as a key member of the Smart Planning Advisory Group, influencing meaningful progress in reforming the Victorian Planning Provisions that has positively impacted over half of all permit applications.

• Loudly advocated for planning certainty in Fishermans Bend through several private and public communications including a prominent opinion piece published in The Age. 

• Successfully advocated for the removal two of the three prescribed mandatory notification stages for construction or alteration of building that were proposed in the regulatory impact statement (RIS) for the Building Regulations Sunset Review.

• Highlighted major inefficiencies in the post-PSP process through a comprehensive submission and collection of case studies. As a result, State Government is now undertaking several initiatives to address the issues presented by the UDIA Victoria submission.

• Provided solid input as a key member of Government’s Streamlining for Growth Working Group, which continues to drive several initiatives focused on speeding up the delivery of greenfield projects.

• Made the case to increase the powers and influence of the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA), leading the Minister for Planning to issue a new direction that gives VPA’s policy positions and views greater authority at VCAT and Panels in relation to Amendments the VPA has been directed to provide advice about.

• Worked closely with policy-makers on the development of the new Infrastructure Contribution Plan system for regional Victoria, following on from the system’s implementation in the growth areas. 

• Provided regular, direct and open advice to the Treasurer, Planning Minister, Minister for Suburban Development, Victorian Planning Authority and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on the supply and demand factors driving Victoria’s housing market.

• Effectively made the case for the allowance of some site-based information to supplement mapped information in the new Native Vegetation rules, which now offer the opportunity to demonstrate through ground-truthing that certain species do not exist in an area, therefore eliminating the offsetting requirement.

• Produced our first Advocacy Agenda (in English and Mandarin), which defines our core advocacy issues so that members, government, media and other stakeholders are clear on what Victoria’s urban development industry needs to accommodate the growing population
 
• Negotiated a reduction to the standard levies for greenfield development as part of the new Infrastructure Contribution Plansystem
 
• Secured significant changes to the final design standards for Better Apartments, which now strike a better balance between affordability and liveability
 
• Gained commitment and funding from the Andrews Government to improve the consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness of the planning system
 
• Influenced the release of more land in Melbourne’s growth areas in light of previous undersupply and recent price increases
 
• Gained commitment and funding for the Streamline for Growth program which seeks to reduce the approval process for development
 
• Established vital and collaborative links between the development industry and the banking sector to address issues relating to access to finance
 
• Secured a $1.8 billion commitment from the Andrews Government for more arterial road funding for the growth areas in the west, with announcements expected for the north and south-east soon
 
• Influenced Infrastructure Victoria’s 30-year strategy, which supports investment in new infrastructure in growth areas and increased density in areas with access to jobs and services
 
• Advocated for a proper pipeline of GAIC investment to be established, and secured the commitment of GAIC funds toward key growth area infrastructure projects including new paramedic centres, integrated children’s centres, land for new school sites and new ambulance stations
 
• Successfully secured a five business day turnaround commitment from Land Use Victoria for registrations of subdivisions of 10 or more lots
 
• Engaged with government policy makers, to highlight the risks and opportunities of Plan Melbourne and the Homes for Victorians strategy
 
• Convened the second annual cross sectoral UDIA/Government Property Roundtable hosted by the Treasurer of Victoria
 

 
UDIA has a remarkably strong voice in Victoria, thanks to your ongoing support and engagement. We look forward to continuing this important work on your behalf.