Property industry calls on state government to relax strict planning controls for CBD towers
In 2016 the Andrews Government introduced tough rules that limited the scale of inner city towers, but property experts say the controls have gone too far as the economic recovery from coronavirus begins.
VIC News
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Tough rules limiting the scale of inner city towers are hurting Victoria’s economic recovery, says the State Opposition and the property industry.
The Andrews Government introduced the controversial measure in 2016 to promote Melbourne’s liveability amid concern over inappropriate high-rise developments.
But developers say the controls go too far, with very few new major projects given the green light since then.
In December 2018, Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the government would review the so-called C270 amendment.
Premier Daniel Andrews said in June last year that changes were expected by the end of 2019.
But six months later a frustrated Property Council of Australia state executive director Cressida Wall said her organisation was still arguing about the inflexible nature of C270.
“It leads to less economic development of even beautifully designed buildings,” she said.
“Now, more than ever, appropriate changes should be made to get the economy going.”
Opposition planning spokesman Tim Smith said the rules had stopped major development in central Melbourne.
“A typically dithering Dick Wynne has done nothing, and we are calling on Labor to abolish C270 to promote more development in the inner city as a way to generate jobs and economic development as we come out of this pandemic,” he said.
But a government spokeswoman said the controls stopped CBD towers being built on top of each other with no separation.
“This planning control was introduced to protect what we love about Melbourne – its sunlit streets, open atmosphere and liveability,” she said.
“Any property developer affected is invited to meet with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to clarify any impacts on their development and how to resolve them.”
The government says it is working with industry to understand its concerns, and will consider refinements to find a solution that works for everyone.
Any property developer affected by the control can also meet with an expert panel to clarify impacts on their development
The government said it had to act because before 2016, there was a dramatic increase in the quantity, density and scale of development proposed and approved in the central city.
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