"Mornington Peninsula residents are not impressed by Planning Minister Hulls' piecemeal planning package announced this week," said Louis Delacretaz, the Greens Planning spokesperson. "It's too little, too late."

"Despite the Government's claims, the open space and natural resources required for Melbourne's survival as a liveable city remained threatened by over development," said Louis Delacretaz. "We must get certainty back into planning schemes, so that Victorians can protect their neighborhoods and lifestyles. Clear boundaries will also assist developers, and time wasting bureaucracy and process could also be stripped away."

"Our biggest problem with planning is the eternal vigilance required by the community," said Louis Delacretaz. "With the current Victorian government approach, the planning scheme allows almost any proposal to be considered, then fought at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) regardless of community attitude.

"At the moment, we see VCAT issuing permits despite the opposition of all parties, bar the developer," said Louis Delacretaz. "For example, recently, VCAT granted a permit to log 99ha of private land in Hoddles Creek. This land was zoned Rural Conservation - with Botanical and Zoological significance."

"This is land with the maximum protection offered by the planning scheme - or so local Council staff thought," said Louis Delacretaz. "But VCAT issued a permit, against the recommendation of council officers, Councillors and a huge number of submittors."

"The first problem is that the current planning scheme was brought in by Premier Jeff Kennett in 1994," said Louis Delacretaz. "The next - and most serious - problem is that it's been kept in place by the Premier Bracks across two more terms of government. He has ignored the pleading of communities and has ensured that local Councils remain practically powerless."

"The Greens say a review of VCAT is long overdue," said Louis Delacretaz. "Victorians are demanding that teeth be put back into local planning. That's also Greens policy, and we'll be working to achieve that in State Parliament after the November 25 elections."

"The Greens will work for a planning scheme for Victoria that applies real controls," said Louis Delacretaz. "It will be one that allows appropriate development but will stop over-development. Our zones will come with teeth, so that everyone – communities, developers, Councils, State Government and a reformed VCAT (or its replacement) - will clearly understand what communities want and are prepared to allow."

Further information and comment please contact:
Louis Delacretaz on (mob) 0407 300 188,
or
Dave Lane on (mob) 0419 156 213.

Background: * The Peninsula Green Wedge Public Meeting Sunday, October 29, 11.00am at the Red Hill Reserve (Melways: 190 H-J 3-4)