Councils have the power
He told a Warrnambool forum there was a new thrust to allow more local decision-making power for wind farms, coastal planning, rural zones, land supply and other contentious issues.
“We do not want to micro-manage local planning schemes,” he said.
Mr Guy’s commitment to allow shires more flexibility in applications for housing on small rural farming blocks struck a chord with council representatives.
He said the new government would not enforce the “one-size-fits-all approach” of the previous government’s ruling on 40-hectare minimum lot sizes for farming zones.
“We need to make sure farming and food production will continue, but we want to restore confidence and security for towns,” Mr Guy said.
“Flexibility should be the key. Councils should be setting the subdivision rate and then come back to the government with their policy.”
Moyne mayor Cr Jim Doukas said the minister’s willingness to be more flexible would help ease controversy over applications for housing and industry in rural areas including Koroit, Killarney and Kirkstall.
“This is a commonsense,” he said. “It applies to small blocks that already exist around townships.”
Cr Doukas said he felt a round-table meeting between council leaders and Mr Guy yesterday renewed confidence in the ability of councils to make their own decisions without having to handball it to government.
Tax changes bring relief to landowners
LANDOWNERS have welcomed the introduction of reforms to the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution which will force developers to cover the cost of the controversial tax, designed to pay for schools and transport in new suburbs.
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