Master Builders Association of Victoria (Master Builders) is the peak body representing employers in the Victorian building and construction industry. Our membership consists of around 9000 builders, subcontractors, manufacturers, suppliers and students.

In a post‐mining boom economy, and with declining investment in infrastructure and commercial construction in Victoria, we need to act now to boost commercial opportunities in the sector. Victoria’s building and construction industry is a central economic pillar of the state, as Victoria’s second largest source of full‐time jobs and generating considerable taxes and output for the economy.

The quality of living standards in Victoria is an important issue for the community. The population of Melbourne is predicted to grow to 7.7 million by 2051, requiring construction of up to 1.6 million new homes[1](including 480,000 apartments). We should not be afraid of embracing population increases, but we do need to ensure all agencies of government are, and the industry is, working together to ensure growing communities, both new and existing, have access to the appropriate living standards, services and amenities they need as the population grows.

Master Builders has close daily contact with building businesses from large to small, that deliver building and construction activity across Victoria. We are therefore uniquely placed to comment on the issues faced and possible solutions in the planning system. We believe that it is important that any reform proposals to the planning system ensure the continued viability of the building and construction sector – and encourages Victoria as a place for investment, growth and prosperity.

In framing our response to the Plan Melbourne Refresh: Discussion Paper, October 2015 (Plan Melbourne Refresh) this paper more broadly outlines the four key objectives for reform of the planning system which Master Builders sees as necessary to meet our housing and infrastructure objectives for Victoria’s future

1. Creating a clear planning scheme and strategic plan
2. Planning scheme structures are capable of delivering State planning policy objectives
3. Consistency of interpretation and application of requirements in planning schemes
4. Scope of objections to planning scheme amendments and permit applications limited to effective and         efficient outcomes

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Click here for the full text of Master Builders’ submission ‘Planning for Growth’.