Special Edition May 2026“`html
| Special Bulletin 24 May 2026 This special edition is for individuals and community groups who want their voices heard. Dis-allowance will check the Minister’s power to make changes that bypass consultation Vote in Upper House 3rd of June – Stop 25 Activity Centres and the Mid-Rise Apartment Code Without proper consultation and expert review, the Government has imposed the Activity Centre Program in 60 locations across Melbourne and multiple locations in Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat. We believe additional locations will follow across Victoria. State Government Activity Centres consist of a high-rise ‘core’ of up to 20 storeys (and potentially higher) and 4-6 storey apartment blocks in surrounding residential streets within ‘walking distance’ of the core. Every Victorian 4-6 storey apartment development will be affected by the reduced standards introduced through the Mid-Rise Code: • removal of neighbours’ rights to notice, objection and appeal to VCAT; • reduced front, rear and side setbacks impacting privacy and overshadowing; • overshadowing of neighbouring solar panels without assessment; • significant loss of tree canopy and increased hard surfaces; • lower environmental standards. The Minister for Planning must approve any change to a planning scheme. The change becomes law and takes effect on the day it is published in the Government Gazette. Normally the change has been exhibited to the public for comment and submissions reviewed by independent experts. However, Parliament has the power to overturn any Gazetted planning scheme change through a process called dis-allowance. How does the dis-allowance process work? Dis-allowance is a vote in Parliament to overturn a Gazetted change. It is a powerful check on the Minister’s power to make changes that bypass consultation and independent review with both the 25 Train and Tram Activity Centres and the Mid-Rise Code. On Wednesday 3 June 2026 we expect that Victoria’s Upper House (Legislative Council) will vote on overturning both changes. Why community advocacy matters The Government does not hold the majority in the Upper House. It requires the support of at least four cross-benchers to defeat the dis-allowance. The votes of the four Greens members are therefore particularly important. Liveable Victoria suggests you urge Parliament to stop Activity Centres. High rise will be imposed on your neighbourhoods If you want to remove the bypass here are some tips. Politicians tell us pro-forma letters carry less weight. We make some suggestions on points you could make: • you seek the restoration of democratic planning for housing for all in a liveable Victoria; • repeal the Activity Centre Program (GC270) and return responsibility for housing targets and planning decisions to local councils with genuine community consultation; • restore residents’ rights to notice, objection and independent review of planning applications (rights significantly curtailed by VC300); • dis-allowance would provide greater certainty for both communities and developers, while allowing proper public debate about the future of planning in Victoria; • the Government has failed to adequately respond to the findings and recommendations of the May 2025 Parliamentary Inquiry, which identified serious concerns regarding consultation processes and independent review mechanisms associated with the pilot Activity Centre Program and the Low-Rise Code. 1. The cross-bench (Upper House) Individuals to contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Parties Greens – Sarah Mansfield, Anasina Gray-Barberio, Aiv Puglielli and Katherine Copsey Legalise Cannabis – David Ettershank and Rachel Payne Libertarians – David Limbrick One Nation – Rikkie-Lee Tyrell Animal Justice – Georgie Purcell Shooters, Fishers and Farmers – Jeff Bourman Independent (formerly Labor) – Adem Somyurek If you have limited time you may opt to write the one email addressed to Members of Cross Bench, The Victorian Legislative Council. Cut and paste the email addresses above. 2. Your five local Upper House representatives and local MP Search for current members’ contact details by location not keyword: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/member-search/?member-house=20&member-status=current&page=1&pageSize=10&sortType=2 Liveable Victoria Launch Join us to launch the Liveable Victoria alliance and the Liveable Victoria Charter. Help raise the volume of voices in the State election campaign for democratic planning. Find out more about Liveable Victoria Speakers will include: · Rev. Tim Costello AO (Ethical Voice; Micah Australia; Community Council for Australia and the Centre for Public Christianity) · Dr Gregory Moore (Honorary (Senior Fellow), School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne; National Trust; Treenet and Greening Australia) · Jane Oldham (President, Liveable Victoria) · Prof. Michael Buxton (Emeritus Professor of Environment and Planning, RMIT University) WHEN: Saturday, 27 June, 2.00 PM-3.30PM WHERE: State Library Theatrette, Melbourne (Entry 3 La Trobe Street) Free Tickets limited to people on our mailing list: https://trybooking.com/DLYZP Sign and circulate this Petition |
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