Victoria Planning Reforms - Summary and Update from the National Trust

Dear community,

Thank you for your ongoing support and effort.  The following article was brought to my attention which I must share with all of you.  The National Trust has provided a brilliant summation of the government planning changes and parliamentary outcomes from the recent Inquiry.  I hope this revolts all of you as much as it did me:

• Heritage advice was ignored. The Inquiry confirmed that the planning minister was advised to amend the reforms to better protect heritage—but chose not to.
  
  
• Tree protection and environmental values were sidelined. The committee raised concerns that changes to residential development rules could lead to significant tree loss, with unclear environmental consequences.   
  
  
• Community voices were diminished. The reforms reduced the rights of third-party objectors and limited appeal mechanisms, all without proper consultation.
  
  
• Lack of evidence. Most strikingly, the government failed to release any modelling to demonstrate whether the reforms would achieve their stated goals to address housing supply. 

If you have a chance please read the full report.  You can find it here.