Improving the Planning System in Victoria
Posted
on Apr 18, 2012
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Stuart Worn is the Executive Officer of the Victorian branch of the Planning Institute of Australia whose vision is to support the Australian planning profession and community in the creation of liveable communities, vibrant economies, sustainable places, diverse cultural expression and social cohesion. |
The Planning Institute aims to serve the public interest of urban and regional communities through its activities of: promotion of the professional interests of its members, establishment and administration of standards of professional competency, provision of training to increase its members’ knowledge base, facilitation of a forum to exchange views on planning issues, and advancement of planning issues to the community, governments, private sector and academia. As a professional institute, PIA differentiates itself from industry lobby groups and other organisations through rigorous academic and industry experience membership requirements.
Stuart spoke of the key areas where the Institute’s efforts were directed. First, to the planning system that requires a complete revision. They are calling on the government to appoint a governor-in-council as a statutory officer to oversee the state’s planning so as to depoliticize planning and to have expert panels to assist him in every aspect of the process.
Then a conversation of ‘where and how we live’, an opportunity to say where we need public facilities; schools parks, community centres and what type and density of housing. Mechanisms should be developed for incentives for diversity.
Next comes the integration of land development and transport. The spine of the transport system must be laid down ahead of land development. Building train lines after a land development cries out for them, is incredibly expensive and almost unaffordable. In similar vein, the replacement of the plethora of highly dangerous railway crossings has become almost financially impossible.
Further, we must have a sustainable society. Consideration must be given to the sustainability of resources, climate change, water recycling and renewable energy. We must have a pleasant and attractive place in which to live with architects assisting with designs that inspire.
Finally, planning must be participative. Peoples’ voices must be heard and listened to. Everyone needs to be involved and the planning should be on a macro scale of at least 30 years ahead. It is only with a macro plan that the micro details can be filled in later in a timely and economically feasible fashion.
The question time that followed this fine presentation that was delivered with passion, showed some of the problems that exist and cry out for an approach, such as postulated by the PIA, to be of urgent need to us all.
Stuart spoke of the key areas where the Institute’s efforts were directed. First, to the planning system that requires a complete revision. They are calling on the government to appoint a governor-in-council as a statutory officer to oversee the state’s planning so as to depoliticize planning and to have expert panels to assist him in every aspect of the process.
Then a conversation of ‘where and how we live’, an opportunity to say where we need public facilities; schools parks, community centres and what type and density of housing. Mechanisms should be developed for incentives for diversity.
Next comes the integration of land development and transport. The spine of the transport system must be laid down ahead of land development. Building train lines after a land development cries out for them, is incredibly expensive and almost unaffordable. In similar vein, the replacement of the plethora of highly dangerous railway crossings has become almost financially impossible.
Further, we must have a sustainable society. Consideration must be given to the sustainability of resources, climate change, water recycling and renewable energy. We must have a pleasant and attractive place in which to live with architects assisting with designs that inspire.
Finally, planning must be participative. Peoples’ voices must be heard and listened to. Everyone needs to be involved and the planning should be on a macro scale of at least 30 years ahead. It is only with a macro plan that the micro details can be filled in later in a timely and economically feasible fashion.
The question time that followed this fine presentation that was delivered with passion, showed some of the problems that exist and cry out for an approach, such as postulated by the PIA, to be of urgent need to us all.