The Victorian Government will invest $111 million into the state’s planning system to speed up delivery of vital major projects and boost the construction of social and affordable housing.
The Victorian 2020/21 Budget includes $38 million to improve planning processes, as recommended by the Commissioner for Better Regulation, streamlining decision-making and giving the private sector greater certainty to invest, create jobs and bring their business to Victoria.
To help drive investment, the State Government will also create a new assessment model for development proposals greater than $50 million. The model aims to speed up the approvals process for the developments, to give more confidence to build more projects in Victoria.
A $3.86 million investment will be made to streamline the approval pathway and make it easier for private builders to include social and affordable housing in their developments.
The budget also includes a $15.7 million investment to help maintain and improve digital systems for permit and planning scheme amendments.
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An additional $3 million will be invested into helping councils upgrade their digital planning permit systems to make it easier to lodge and track permits online.
A further $14 million will be provided to the Victorian Planning Authority, including funding the Streamlining for Growth program, which provides support to local councils to fast-track local planning applications.
More than $2 million will go towards a trial of an innovative new 3D spatial data program called Digital Twin Victoria. The trial aims to bring together disparate spatial data to develop digital models of Victoria and make it easier to assess and plan projects remotely.
To better assess the safety of building and plumbing works in new developments across Victoria, $4.45 million will expand the Victorian Building Authority’s proactive building inspection program.
More than $3.2 million will continue the implementation of Plan Melbourne – the blueprint guiding Melbourne’s growth.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the state needs a planning system that is set up to drive growth and create jobs as it recovers from coronavirus.
“This year we’ve seen just how much can be achieved online. We want to build on that strength, creating an easy, online and accessible planning and permit system,” Wynne said.