13 March 2014
STATE PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- VIDEO PRESENTATION SCRIPT
Slide 1 The Minister for Planning has appointed an Advisory Committee to review the State Planning Policy Framework to bring that part of all planning schemes in Victoria up to date with the inclusion of recent policy changes through Plan Melbourne, Regional Growth Plans as well as other government initiatives such as the reformed zones.
Slide 2 This presentation aims to convey details about the work of the Committee and the directions of the revised State Planning Framework document that the Committee has produced.
The Advisory Committee has based its work on the draft Plan Melbourne and Regional Growth Plans as adopted by local government. The PPF may need to be reviewed before it is finalised.
<Slide 3>
Slide 4
Slide 5 After scoping the task Slide 6 and setting a process, Slide 7 the Committee did was some targeted consultation.
Slide 8 The results helped the Committee produce a SPPF with a revised structure and with policy expressed more clearly.
Slide 9>
Slide 10 What is not changed is the important role that the SPPF plays in presenting state policy over numerous land use and development activities.
<Slide 11>
There are numerous issues with the present SPPF.
<Slide 12> <Slide 13>
Currently there is no context statement to explain why planning policy is as it is.
<Slide 14> Neither is there a vision for what the planning policy should achieve or for the planning system in Victoria. The revised structure corrects both those omissions.
<Slide 15>
The use of themes to group policy is continued but there is a revision of how policies are listed. <Slide 16> The nineteen themes in the SPPF are reduced to thirteen and <Slide 17> new ways of expressing policies have been put in place. <Slide 18>
<Slide 19> One of the key goals of the Committee is to remedy some deficiencies with the current SPPF.
<Slide 20> Stating and making obvious the policies that apply to matters under consideration is a goal.
<Slide 21> To do that, the Committee has moved away from listing themes in alphabetical order to present policy in a clear narrative style that implies importance.
A major benefit is to include regional and local policies with state policy so that there is a clear picture of all the policies that apply to individual land uses.
<Slide 22> There are regional issues in metropolitan schemes and <Slide 23> <Slide 24> <Slide 25> Melbourne centric policy in regional schemes where it has no relevance.
<Slide 26> There is coastal policy in all schemes including areas <Slide 27> that have no coasts.
<Slide 28> There is detailed policy around bushfires but <slide 29> that makes no sense for Metropolitan schemes.
<Slide 30> Presently there is no place for regional policy in the SPPF and poor integration of local policy.
<Slide 31> The Committee has identified that policy applies at four scales across Victoria. There are policies that are relevant to all of Victoria, policies relevant to regional Victoria, policies for specific areas such as coastal areas, or bushfire areas and those for particular regions.
<Slide 32> The restructured SPPF will present only relevant policy to individual planning schemes.
Slide 33 In this example for Regional Landscape Quality, a policy under the Landscape and Built Environment theme, the policy would appear in all schemes with its objectives and strategies.
Slide 34 In regional Victoria additional objectives and consequential strategies would apply. <Slide 35> <Slide 36>
Slide 37 Similarly in coastal areas further objectives and strategies would appear in relevant schemes but <Slide 38> not in metropolitan areas. <slide 39>
Slide 40 The integration of policy is now possible at State, regional and local levels.
<Slide 41>
The structure allows for geographic areas and policy themes to be brought together.
Slide 42 The restructured SPPF applies a new level of automation.
With the cooperation of the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure the Committee has been working to create a computerised system that enables the selection of relevant policies to form a Planning Policy Framework.
<Slide 43 The goal is to have clearer policy elements presented in a style that makes it easier to navigate <Slide 44> from clause to clause, from policy to policy and with references to all relevant considerations.
Slide 45 For example policies are identified via specific headings; the purpose objectives and strategies are obvious from the headings and other provisions filter down to draw attention to guidelines and background documents that decision makers might have to consider <Slide 46> when deciding applications or undertaking forward planning.
That structure contains linkages, signposts for those other considerations and <Slide 47> a place for the inclusion of local policy.
Councils will be able to pick off the rack those policies that are pertinent and to leave behind those that are irrelevant. And they will be able to put their local policies right alongside so they can’t be missed.
Slide 49 The current SPPF contains just one map. Consultation with users of planning schemes told the Committee they wanted more <slide 50> maps to create <Slide 51> a picture of<slide 52> where policy applies across the state.
<Slide 53> With the adoption of Plan Melbourne and the Regional Growth Plans, maps are available and <slide 54> will be included so that users of the system get an immediate snapshot of what policy applies where.
Slide 55 From the consultation it was very clear that the language in the SPPF was variable, often ambiguous and unclear and therefore needed tightening.
Slide 56 It was also said that these too many words and that the language needed to focus on <slide 57> facilitation rather than regulation. Users called for common terms across the SPPF.
Slide 58The Committee’s response has been to prepare a list of words and to use them in the restructured SPPF. The intention is to have these words as the only ones to be used to express a purpose, describe an action or a control, or state a desired outcome.
<Slide 59>The Committee has published a draft of Planning Policy Framework.
<Slide 60> It has a new look.
<Slide 61> It brings together State, regional and local policy.
<Slide 62> It is easier to navigate with every provision numbered in a logical layout.
The Committee sees this new PPF as one way of achieving better integration of <Slide 63> State, regional and local policy but there could be improvements.
Slide 64 Through the consultation phase that lies ahead, stakeholders are asked to send feedback on other changes or additions that could be made to present planning policy in the best and most efficient way.
Slide 65 The Committee has a task ahead but with continued assistance from users of the system and experts in the field, undertaking this immense task will produce an excellent outcome. <Slide 66>
- Text of Presentation Slide
Slide 1>
Understanding the work of the SPPF review.
<Slide 2>
The Committee consists of:
•Geoff Underwood (Chair)
•Cazz Redding
•Nicola Smith
•Lester Townsend
The Committee’s Terms of reference are available at:
<Slide 3>
What is this about.
- Purpose and scope of the Advisory Committee
- Review process
- Issues and presentations
- Call for feedback
<Slide 4>
Purpose.
Advise on the content and structure of a revised SPPF to apply any consequential changes arising from recent legislation, and to align and integrate with the review of each of the following state policy matters:
•The Vision for Victoria
•The proposed Metropolitan Planning Strategy
•The eight Regional Growth Plans
•The reformed commercial, industrial, residential and rural zones
•The Development Contributions system.
Asked later to provide advice on the purpose, content and structure of a revised local policy framework for planning schemes.
<Slide 5>
Scope – a slide providing a diagram of the scope of the project.
<Slide 6
Process.
Advise on the content and structure of a revised SPPF to apply any consequential changes arising from recent legislation, and to align and integrate with the review of each of the following state policy matters:
•The Vision for Victoria
•The proposed Metropolitan Planning Strategy
•The eight Regional Growth Plans
•The reformed commercial, industrial, residential and rural zones
•The Development Contributions system.
Asked later to provide advice on the purpose, content and structure of a revised local policy framework for planning schemes.
<Slide 7
Consultation.
Targeted consultation process including:
•State Government Departments and Agencies
•Local Government
•MAC for MPS
•PPV
•Peak industry bodies
<Slide 8
What we considered.
Role of the SPPF
A revised structure
Making policy relevant
Clearer policy elements
Maps in the SPPF
Tighter language
<Slide 9
What we have done.
What we have done:
•Policy neutral rewrite and restructure
•Policy update based on current Government policy as advised by policy owners
•Incorporated Plan Melbourne and RGPs
What we have not done:
•The Committee has not written new policy
<Slide 10
The role of the SPPF.
- Facilitate sound, strategic planning and co-ordinated action at State, regional and municipal levels
- Facilitate the integration of land use and development planning and policy with other policies at State, regional and municipal levels
- Facilitate development
- Facilitate positive actions by responsible authorities and planning authorities to meet the planning objectives of Victoria
<Slide 11
Towards a revised SPPF.
A revised structure.
<Slide 12>
Issue with structure.
- Context
- Vision
- Themes
- Order of issues
<Slide 13
Context.
There is no state-wide context section in the current SPPF.
The SPPF does not say where Victoria is, what our population is or why policies are important.
<Slide 14
Vision.
The current SPPF does not set out a high level vision.
We have added a vision chapter with policies and maps.
<Slide 15>
Themes.
We continue to use themes to present policy.
But they are brought up to date and expanded.
<Slide 16>
Description – A table showing the old and new table of contents.
<Slide 17>
New themes.
A new clause on Community development
•This material is currently mainly under infrastructure
A separate clause for Open space
•This reflects its importance and the fact it covers environmental and recreational issues
A separate clause for heritage
•Heritage has built form and natural components
<Slide 18>
New policy.
Better spatial policy
•Explicit policy on location of residential development and location of employment from Plan Melbourne and RGPs
Controls without policy
•Some issues have controls such as licensed premises but no state level policy.
Issues covered in LPPFs where there was no State direction
<Slide 19>
Making policy relevant.
<Slide 20>
Issues with relevance.
- All policy in all schemes
- No clear policy narrative
- No place for regional policy
- Integration with local policy
<Slide 21>
Therefore.
Relevance is key
Create a policy narrative
Not alphabetical
Go from broad policy to specific - tell a storey
<Slide 22>
Regional issues in metropolitan schemes.
Description – picture of farm land.
<Slide 23>
Regional issues in metropolitan schemes.
Description – map of Melbourne.
<Slide 24>
Metropolitan issues in regional schemes.
Description – map of Melbourne.
<Slide 25>
Metropolitan issues in regional schemes.
Description – picture of urban environment.
<Slide 26>
Coastal policy in coastal areas.
Description – picture of coastal environment.
<Slide 27>
No coastal policy in irrelevant areas.
Description – picture of mountain range.
<Slide 28>
Bushfire policy in urban schemes.
Description – picture of bushfire.
<Slide 29>
No bushfire policy in some urban schemes.
Description – picture of urban area.
<Slide 30>
A place for regional policy.
Description – map of regional Victoria.
<Slide 31>
Integrating policy.
Description – Map of Victoria, highlighting how policy will apply in new PPF.
<Slide 32>
How this is implemented.
Description – Map of Victoria, highlighting how policy will apply in new PPF. State section only.
<Slide 33>
How this is implemented.
Description – adding regional Victoria map.
<Slide 34>
How this is implemented.
Description – adding thematic map.
<Slide 35>
How this is implemented.
Description – adding thematic map.
<Slide 36>
How this is implemented.
Description – Map of Victoria.
<Slide 37>
Integrating policy.
Description – Showing how the PPF will apply.
<Slide 38>
Integrating policy.
Description – Showing how the PPF will apply.
<Slide 39>
Integrating policy.
Description – Showing how the PPF will apply.
<Slide 40>
Geographic areas.
State policy
Regional Victoria
Thematic areas
Metropolitan Melbourne
•Subregions
Rgp Areas
Localised Planning Statement Areas
Local municipality
<Slide 41>
Thematic areas.
Coastal Areas
•The Great Ocean Road Area
•Port Environ Areas
Alpine Areas
Bushfire Areas
Melbourne’s Peri-Urban Area
Melbourne’s Green Wedge
Growth Areas
<Slide 42>
Automation.
A new way of automating the generation of an integrated PPF for each scheme will be required.
‘Proof of concept’ has been achieved.
<Slide 43>
Towards a revised SPPF.
Clearer policy elements.
<Slide 44>
Issues with SPPF now.
- Mix of advice
- No numbers
- Broad references
- Poor linkages
<Slide 45>
Components.
Description – shows each component of the policy framework.
<Slide 46>
Linkages.
References to particular provisions
•Explicit reference to relevant particular provisions
Careful reference to external documents
•Must be approved policy and have a statutory head of power
Listing ‘background documents’
<Slide 47
Possible local content.
Not all elements are needed, but might include:
•Explanatory paragraph
•Objectives and strategies
•Guidelines for decision makers
•Strategic planning guidelines
•Application of zones and overlays
Background documents
<Slide 48
Maps in the SPPF.
<Slide 49
Issues with maps.
- Only one map
- Accommodating RGPs and Plan Melbourne
<Slide 50>
Description – Map of Victoria.
<Slide 51>
Description – Map of Victoria.
<Slide 52>
Description – Map of sub region of Victoria.
<Slide 53>
Description – Map of metropolitan Melbourne.
<Slide 54>
List of maps .
Victoria’s settlement framework
Regional Growth Plan maps
Melbourne Metropolitan Structure Plan
Melbourne – sub regional plans
Economic triangle from Plan Melbourne
Freight network plan – Victoria
Freight network plan – Melbourne
<Slide 55>
Towards a revised SPPF.
Tighter language.
<Slide 56>
Too many words.
Description – graphic of lots of verbs.
<Slide 57>
Issues with language now.
- Focus on regulation not facilitation
- Common approaches expressed in different language
<Slide 58>
Facilitation versus regulation.
Description – Table of verbs to use in writing new policy.
<Slide 59>
Seeking feedback.
The Committee seeks feedback on its draft:
•Are there errors or omissions?
<Slide 60>
Seeking feedback.
The Committee seeks feedback on its draft:
•What change is needed to accommodate local policy in the proposed structure?
<Slide 61>
Seeking feedback.
The Committee seeks feedback on its draft:
•What further changes could improve navigation?
<Slide 62>
Seeking feedback.
The Committee seeks feedback on its draft:
•Are there other specific regions or thematic areas (such as coastal areas) that should be indentified for separate policy?
<Slide 63>
Seeking feedback.
The Committee seeks feedback on its draft:
•What local maps might be included and is there a logical place for them?
<Slide 64>
Feedback questions.
Tell us what you think?
<Slide 65>
Description – photo.
<Slide 66>
Thanks.