Despite the impacts of COVID-19, Victoria is expected to see continued population growth, with the welcoming of millions of new residents throughout the coming decades. This comes with the sustained demand for well-planned new communities and the generation of new opportunities for our members across Victoria.  

For years, the Victorian’s Government’s planning policy has been underpinned by the principle of living locally, and proactive planning has never been more important – not just for plan for growth, but also to maintain our State’s world-famous standard of liveability.  

To help meet this demand the Victorian Planning Authority has released the Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines: New Communities in Victoria (the Guidelines). Click here. 

The Guidelines are a Victorian Government initiative with key objective of providing a framework with clear purpose, pathways and practical guidance for preparing Precinct Structure Plans that guarantee quality outcomes, while also being flexible, responsive and supportive of innovation – generating best practice results for new, liveable communities. 
 
The Guidelines are centred around the 20-minute neighbourhood, a principle in Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 that advocates for living locally – giving people the ability to meet most of their daily needs within a 20-minute walk from home. 
 
MBV members will be pleased to know that new targets have been set for greater recognition of the value of Aboriginal heritage and collaboration with Traditional Owners in plan development, affordability, sustainability, density, diversity within the community, natural features, and smarter infrastructure. 

These refined plans for growth stand to open new potential opportunities for MBV members operating in the commercial, residential and infrastructure sectors. 
 
Understanding the Guidelines – The Practitioner’s Toolbox 
To help readers understand, interpret and make use of the Guidelines, a Practitioner’s Toolbox (with guidance notes) has also been created. This will be updated regularly with the latest developments and practices.  

The VPA also plans to host training sessions for planning practitioners of PSPs for new communities. 

For information about the Practitioner’s Toolbox, can also be accessed here.  

Introduction of the New Innovation Pathway 
The Victorian Government has also introduced their new ‘Innovation Pathway’ which will allow tailored responses to place-based challenges that deliver above and beyond their new, raised standards for planned communities. These innovations will be rewarded with a bespoke PSP product and process, and by greater certainty and streamlining of post-plan approvals by councils and utilities.  
 
The Victorian Government will be providing more information on this soon and will be seeking Expressions of Interest to take part in a Pilot for their Innovation Pathway in early 2022. 

The MBV Team will endeavour to keep our members updated as more information becomes available.