PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987 - SECT 4 Objectives

PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987 - SECT 4

    (1)     The objectives of planning in Victoria are—

        (a)     to provide for the fair, orderly, economic and sustainable use, and development of land;

        (b)     to provide for the protection of natural and man-made resources and the maintenance of ecological processes and genetic diversity;

        (c)     to secure a pleasant, efficient and safe working, living and recreational environment for all Victorians and visitors to Victoria;

        (d)     to conserve and enhance those buildings, areas or other places which are of scientific, aesthetic, architectural or historical interest, or otherwise of special cultural value;

        (e)     to protect public utilities and other assets and enable the orderly provision and co‑ordination of public utilities and other facilities for the benefit of the community;

        (f)     to facilitate development in accordance with the objectives set out in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e);

S. 4(1)(fa) inserted by No. 47/2017 s. 5.

        (fa)     to facilitate the provision of affordable housing in Victoria;

        (g)     to balance the present and future interests of all Victorians.

    (2)     The objectives of the planning framework established by this Act are—

        (a)     to ensure sound, strategic planning and co‑ordinated action at State, regional and municipal levels;

        (b)     to establish a system of planning schemes based on municipal districts to be the principal way of setting out objectives, policies and controls for the use, development and protection of land;

        (c)     to enable land use and development planning and policy to be easily integrated with environmental, social, economic, conservation and resource management policies at State, regional and municipal levels;

        (d)     to ensure that the effects on the environment are considered and provide for explicit consideration of social and economic effects when decisions are made about the use and development of land;

        (e)     to facilitate development which achieves the objectives of planning in Victoria and planning objectives set up in planning schemes;

        (f)     to provide for a single authority to issue permits for land use or development and related matters, and to co-ordinate the issue of permits with related approvals;

        (g)     to encourage the achievement of planning objectives through positive actions by responsible authorities and planning authorities;

        (h)     to establish a clear procedure for amending planning schemes, with appropriate public participation in decision making;

              (i)     to ensure that those affected by proposals for the use, development or protection of land or changes in planning policy or requirements receive appropriate notice;

        (j)     to provide an accessible process for just and timely review of decisions without unnecessary formality;

        (k)     to provide for effective enforcement procedures to achieve compliance with planning schemes, permits and agreements;

        (l)     to provide for compensation when land is set aside for public purposes and in other circumstances.

S. 4AA inserted by No. 49/2017 s. 62.