Updated 11 November 2009
The Minister for Planning has approved and is now seeking parliamentary ratification of Amendment VC55. Subject to Parliament’s approval of the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution legislation it will then come into operation. Amendment VC55 will implement new planning scheme provisions that address the objectives of Delivering Melbourne’s newest sustainable communities.
In summary, Amendment VC55 will deliver:
- An expanded Urban Growth Boundary
- New zones for land brought inside the Urban Growth Boundary
- Public Acquisition Overlays for the Regional Rail Link, Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor and two grassland reserves.
- A translation of the policy elements of Melbourne @ 5 million into the Victorian Planning Provisions
- Provisions that remove the need for a planning permit for the construction of the Regional Rail Link
- New controls in the Victoria Planning Provisions to:
i. articulate the intended content of a Growth Areas Framework Plan;
ii. change the definition of metropolitan Melbourne (in planning schemes) to include the expanded growth areas in the Shire of Mitchell; and
iii. enable the use of the concept of underlying planning provisions
For further information go to the Department of Planning and Community Development website.
Population forecasts indicate Melbourne’s population will reach 5 million sooner than expected. Meeting the needs of our rapidly growing population, and safeguarding our liveability into the future depend on:
- having a choice of affordable housing options available;
- meeting the private and public transport needs of people and businesses;
- protecting our highly valued open space and biodiversity; and
- making sure infrastructure and services are in place and ready to support communities as they grow.
Melbourne @ 5 million and The Victorian Transport Plan, which were released by the Government at the end of 2008, proposed a number of initiatives to meet these challenges including reviewing the Urban Growth Boundary, establishing grassland reserves in Melbourne's west, and providing major transport infrastructure.
This is a summary of those proposals which were first displayed for public comment in June/July 2009 as part of Delivering Melbourne’s Newest Sustainable Communities. A series of alignment options were displayed for targeted public comment during August/September 2009. These proposals have since been finalised, following the consideration of public submissions and other detailed work.
This is a summary of those proposals:
- A proposed route for the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor .
This will create a major transport corridor to support the future construction of transport infrastructure including road and rail links between Werribee, Melton, Tullamarine and Craigieburn / Mickleham; a road link from the Metropolitan Ring Road in Thomastown to Donnybrook, and a road link from the Deer Park Bypass to the Outer Metropolitan Ring. A study area around Bulla was also identified for a possible future link between the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 and Melbourne Airport. Refer to the map of the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor Project for further details.
Detailed information is available about the proposed route, including:
• Maps of the proposed revisions; and
• A report summarising why the proposed changes and the rationale behind them.
- Revision of Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary
This is to ensure enough land is available to meet the needs of Melbourne’s growing population. The Government has proposed re-zoning land so it is available for housing in Melbourne’s west (between Melton, Caroline Springs and Werribee), north (from Epping North and Craigieburn to Beveridge and around Sunbury) and south-east (south-east of Cranbourne).
The Department of Planning and Community Development website has detailed information about the proposed changes to the Urban Growth Boundary.
- The Regional Rail Link
This centrepiece of the Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan will be the biggest expansion of Melbourne’s rail network in 25 years. The Government has proposed a route for the 40 kilometre, twin-track rail link, which will run from west of Werribee to Southern Cross Station via Tarneit and Sunshine, separating regional and metropolitan train services.
Detailed information is available about the proposed route, including:
• Maps of the proposed route; and
• A report summarising why the proposed route has been chosen.
- Strategic Impact Assessment on Biodiversity
The Victorian Government considered the impacts of revising the Urban Growth Boundary on Melbourne’s environment and biodiversity, in accordance with the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
This assessment identified some key locations of national environmental significance. The Victorian Government has decided that, in order to protect these, two major grasslands reserves should be created in Melbourne’s west.
Detailed information is available of the Strategic Impact Assessment, and the proposal to create two major grasslands reserves, including:
• A copy of the Strategic Impact Assessment;
• Maps of the proposed grasslands reserves; and
• A report summarising the rationale for creating the reserves, and their proposed location.
These projects will allow 134,000 new homes to be built in Melbourne’s west, north, north west and south-east over the next 25 years. Land can be set aside now for the community and public infrastructure (including road and transport links) that residents and businesses expect. Areas of open space and of particular natural significance can be preserved now.
For more information about the package of projects, please visit the Delivering Melbourne’s Newest Sustainable Communities website.
The Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor is being planned to accommodate a 100 kilometre long high-speed transport link for people and freight in Melbourne’s north and west, creating the opportunity for new road and rail transport links through the Werribee, Melton, Tullamarine, Craigieburn / Mickleham and Epping / Thomastown areas to be provided as transport demand warrants.
The planning for the transport corridor provides options for an ultimate freeway standard road, capable of up to four lanes in each direction and four railway tracks in the median for interstate freight and high-speed passenger trains between Werribee and Kalkallo and capable of ultimately being a six-lane freeway standard road elsewhere.
Once complete, the project will:
- create better connections to key international transport hubs such as Melbourne Airport, Avalon Airport and the Port of Geelong
- improve access to the proposed Donnybrook/Beveridge Interstate Rail Terminal
- serve as an important travel and freight route to interstate and regional destinations
- link residential and employment growth areas in the north and west of Melbourne
- improve access in this major employment corridor, which includes Avalon Airport, Werribee, Melton, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham and Donnybrook
This transport corridor is central to the Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan and crucial to the social and economic development of communities in these areas.
The Victorian Government has now proposed a route for the Outer Metropolitan Ring/E6 Transport Corridor (maps) which is subject to ratification by Parliament.
Construction on this proposed project is not expected to start before 2020. However, it is crucial we plan ahead so we can continue to meet the transport needs of our growing communities.
The Minister for Planning has approved a Planning Scheme Amendment, VC 55 which amongst other matters proposes to apply a Public Acquisition Overlay to reserve land for the Outer Metropolitan Ring / E6 Transport Corridor. Subject to the approval of Parliament, the Amendment will then be gazetted and come into operation. During 2010 and 2011, VicRoads will prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Outer Metropolitan Ring Transport Corridor, as required by the Minister for Planning. In preparing this report, VicRoads will consider whether there are any alignment options which offer potentially better environmental and/or social outcomes than the currently proposed route. This report will be displayed for public comment and the Minister for Planning may appoint an Advisory Committee to consider public submissions.
INTERPRETER: If you do not speak English, please call 03 9280 0752 and a telephone interpreter will assist you with your call.
More information about compulsory land acquisition see VicRoads Land Acquisition and Compensation brochure [PDF, 132KB 8pp]
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