Tara Murray and Oliver Lees
Transparency is needed now and into the future in planning decisions, according to the the peak body representing the local government sector.
Municipal Association of Victoria president, Pyrenees Shire councillor David Clark, said councils across the state have noted an alarming lack of open consultation with councillors and their communities in recent times.
Sunbury Residents Association president Graham Williams said in his experience of recent development works across his area, consultation had often been inadequate.
“Consultation’s stuffed,” he said.
“It seems it’s just about ticking the box. The Municipal Association of Victoria is correct in saying that consultation is broken.”
Mr Williams said the consultation for the Bulla Bypass business case was a recent example of a process that could be improved.
“For the Bulla Bypass [business case] they were only going to consult with houses within three kilometres of the two end points [of the bypass], that’s great but what about the rest of the community,” he said.
“You hear project managers saying they do consultation all the time with traffic management experts, but that’s not community consultation.”
Mr Williams said he felt the window for people to provide feedback was often very brief.
A Macedon Ranges council spokesperson said genuine consultation and engagement was the cornerstone of planning and development.
“Any planning reforms should continue to recognise the value of strong community and council consultation and the role that councils play in representing the views of the community and ensuring good, sensible planning outcomes on the ground, out in our local communities.
“The local community and its elected representatives have an inherent interest in the planning process and it is very important they continue to have input into shaping the communities and places where they live,” the spokesperson said.
Macedon Ranges council confirmed it would review the state government’s proposed planning reforms when they are made available.
Hume council was contacted for comment.
