1. The Victorian Planning Authority in Rural and Regional Victoria Unlocking the potential of our regional towns and cities
Stuart Moseley
CEO, Victorian Planning Authority
Friday, 30 June 2017

2. Overview The opportunities for our regional towns and cities
The VPA – Who we are and what we do
Our current work program in Victoria’s regions
Where to next – Towards a stronger regional role
An open invitation

3. But first … to introduce myself …

4. The opportunities for our regional towns and cities A growing state population creates both an opportunity and an imperative to foster growing regions…
Melbourne and Victoria’s population continues to grow strongly
Fastest growth rate in Australia: 1.7 per cent
There will need to be an additional 2.2 million dwellings to house the population
Source: Victoria in Future

5. The opportunities for our regional towns and cities
Strong growth potential
More than dormitory suburbs
Strong local lifestyle, services & jobs
Higher-order services e.g. Unis
Vibrant communities
Skilled workforces
Transport links to local catchment, wider region and Melbourne
What is the sustainable competitive advantage of your region?

6. The opportunities for our regional towns and cities
15,000 persons per annum for next 20 years to 2031
20,000 persons per annum for next 20 year thereafter to 2051
Unprecedented quantum – 700,000 persons in less than 40 years
% of this growth will be accommodated in the top 10 “Regional Cities”
Source: Victoria in Future

7. The opportunities for our regional towns and cities Challenges for Regional Victorian Growth
Regional Victoria is currently 24% of population, with only 10% - 12% of growth
Regional Victoria is failing to attract its share of international migration
78% of Births are in metropolitan Melbourne and 22% in Regional Victoria
However, of the State’s 38,000 Deaths in 2014/15, 33% are in Regional Victoria
Source – ABS Regional Population Growth Aus 2015/16

8. The opportunities for our regional towns and cities
Regional Victoria’s share of economic growth is declining
Economic growth drives population growth

9. The opportunities for our regional towns and cities - enabling policies
Victoria’s Regional Statement
Regional Growth Plans
Sector Strategies
Connecting Regional Victoria
Plan Melbourne

10. The Victorian Planning Authority: Who we are and what we do
Where we work
Who we are
Statutory authority with an independent board reporting to the Minister for Planning
Strategic place based planner – planning for delivery, solving spatial problems
We unlock land for housing supply and employment, and plan for the delivery of infrastructure and services to build communities and places across the state
Minister designates areas for VPA to become:
Facilitator / advisor / solutions broker OR
Planning Authority
Good planning enables growth – Bad planning stifles it!
Greenfield
Urban renewal sites and areas
Regional towns and cities

11. Our current work program in the regions
Currently Active in:
Bendigo
Bacchus Marsh
Torquay
Wodonga
Shepparton
Latrobe Valley
Wonthaggi
Echuca
Yarrawonga
Macedon Ranges
Horsham
Traralgon

12. Our current work program in the regions
Example: Shepparton-Mooroopna Growth Framework
VPA working with RDV and City of Greater Shepparton to develop growth framework to 2050:
to build on Shepparton’s strategic advantages
identify and address key challenges
guide growth and renewal
drive employment growth
identify growth-enabling infrastructure

13. Our current work program in the regions
Example: Wonthaggi North East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP)
VPA working with Bass Coast Shire Council to
Plan for a significant growth area for Bass Coast Shire with 10,000 new residents
Facilitate employment opportunities
Create an attractive new community and reinforce the town as a strong rural service centre

14. Where to next: towards a stronger regional role
“Streamlining for Growth” announced by Minister for Planning in September 2016
$8.4 million to regions over the life of the program ($2.1 million per year)
Build council capacity
Ensure a land supply pipeline to facilitate regional growth
Promote employment growth and implement Regional Growth Plans
Undertake master planning for strategic sites
2016/17 Regional Package

15. Where to next: towards a stronger regional role
Core – Deliver on Plan Melbourne (initial 5 year program)
Growth frameworks for 10 regional cities (lead)
Town plans for peri-urban areas (lead)
Working with Regional Partnerships established through Victoria’s Regional Statement, including implementing Regional Growth Plans (support)
10 Regional Partnership Areas

16. Where to next: towards a stronger regional role
What we will be working on internally:
Explore and define a broader role for the VPA
Role clarity and alignment across government
Using the right tool for the job
Stronger partnerships
Closer engagement
Leveraging our inputs for greatest benefit

17. An open invitation Partnering is key to success
We want to strengthen our engagement with Victoria’s regions
Keep me informed – invite me to visit!
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