http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/component/content/article/11321.html
HOME BUYERS WINNERS IN BOUNDARY MOVE
From the Minister for Planning
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Melbourne’s home buyers are the big winners with 24,500 hectares of developable land – enough to create 134,000 new homes - incorporated into Melbourne’s boundary today.
Planning Minister Justin Madden said the planning scheme amendment to expand the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) which today passed through Parliament would redefine the city’s limits and was fundamental to maintaining housing affordability.
“This is a significant moment in Victoria’s planning history and will be the last significant shift of the boundary our generation will see,” Mr Madden said.
“Expanding the boundary is a major component of the Brumby Labor Government’s long term plan to manage Melbourne’s growth, keep house prices affordable and ensure our city remains one of the world’s most welcoming and liveable cities.
“Maintaining liveability and safeguarding future housing affordability depends on making good planning decisions now, so we can protect the lifestyle in existing suburbs and brand new communities well in to the future.
“The Brumby Labor Government supports sustainable population growth and is determined to link growth with new job opportunities, transport links and services for families.“
Mr Madden said the next stage in providing more housing in the growth areas would be consultation on the Growth Area Framework and the preparation of Precinct Structure Plans (PSP) for Melbourne’s newest suburbs.
“The Brumby Labor Government has allocated $10 million to prepare PSPs in Melbourne’s new growth areas,” Mr Madden said.
“These masterplans provide the foundation for our newest communities laying out parks, shopping centres, schools, housing, employment precincts, roads and connections to public transport.
“They ensure that as housing is built, there is appropriate planning and resources to deliver vital infrastructure that new communities need to preserve our renowned quality of life.”
Mr Madden said infrastructure in growth areas, particularly public transport, would benefit from a dedicated funding source in the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC).
“We are taking the responsible action of releasing more land for housing alongside a clear plan to fund the basic services and infrastructure for people who move into these areas,” he said.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to manage growth and to help families secure their lifestyle.
“With the GAIC now in place and the boundary moved, the detailed planning work for housing, infrastructure and new communities can now begin.”
Mr Madden said the amendment would also protect 15,000 hectares of native grasslands in Melbourne’s west and a further 6,000 hectares of land would be zoned for rural conservation purposes.