The state government has extended the time it will take public feedback on its new landscapes protection legislation for the Macedon Ranges following a chorus of disapproval from residents.
Comment on the Macedon Ranges Draft Localised Planning Statement (LPS) will be accepted until Monday, March 5 – two weeks after the consultation period was originally scheduled to end.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne agreed to extend the time “given the level of community interest in the draft”, Macedon MP Mary-Anne announced on her Facebook page.
The extension has come after weeks of campaigning by local groups against the plans proposed in the draft.
Macedon Ranges Residents Association has been vehemently calling for residents to submit feedback opposing the draft and sending a message to the state government that the current plan is “not acceptable” and to “do it again and consult this community”.
An estimated 200 residents attended the association’s public meeting on February 13, at which the association resolved to inform the government that the draft LPS was “completely irreconcilable with the state government’s commitment to protection”.
Representatives from the association met Ms Thomas to discuss the plan on Friday.
Association secretary Christine Pruneau said the government wanted to fix the draft, which she said needed to be entirely rewritten.
The state government has introduced the draft LPS to protect the area from “inappropriate development”, but Ms Pruneau described it as “an urban growth plan of epic proportions” instead of protection.
Another residents group, A Forum for Democratic Renewal, has also been rallying opposition to the state government’s plan. It hosted public forums across the shire to highlight what it perceived as the draft’s lack of protection.
Ms Thomas said it was important to recognise that “as a draft, the LPS is subject to the feedback provided” by consultation.
She encouraged people to read the LPS and submit feedback. “It is vitally important we get this right,” she said.
Feedback can be submitted at engage.vic.gov.au/macedon-ranges-localised-planning-statement.
