Restore Democratic Planning in Victoria

Petition to Restore Democratic Planning for a Liveable Victoria

We, the undersigned Victorian citizens, call for the restoration of integrity, transparency and community confidence in the planning system and decision making.

We view with grave concern:

1. the State government centralisation of planning decisions at the expense of local councils and the communities they represent;
2. the autocratic imposition of 14 major planning amendments on the Victorian community without public exhibition or resident consultation;
3. the future liveability of residential areas across Victoria with the lower building standards and the deemed-to-comply approach in the building codes for Townhouse, Low Rise Code and Mid Rise developments;
4. the removal or reduction of notice, objection and third-party appeal rights to VCAT;
5. the approval of planning permits for housing, major infrastructure and development projects by the Minister for Planning without community consultation and independent scrutiny under the Development Facilitation Program, particularly clauses 53.22, 53.23 and 53.24; and
6. the passing of the Planning and Environment (Better Decisions Made Faster) Bill and changes to planning appeals processes without consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny.

Housing growth, infrastructure and commercial development in Victoria should be well-planned. Planning decisions must serve the public interest, not be driven by unchecked decisions by the Minister for Planning made without council or community input.

We note the evidence that housing growth, which must include public and affordable housing, can be accommodated without destroying the liveability of Melbourne and regional centres

WE CALL ON all political parties and candidates for the Victorian election in November 2026 to commit to:

1. Repealing the undemocratic changes to the planning system including:
   • the Activity Centre Program (VC257)
   • the Townhouse and Low Rise Code (VC267) and the Mid Rise Code (VC300)
   • the Development Facilitation Fast Track program
   • the Great Design Fast Track and Future Homes programs
   • provisions of the Planning and Environment (Better Decision Made Faster) Act 2026 that affect community rights to notice, objection and review and enable councils to issue planning permits in breach of a covenant without notice to beneficiaries, and recent changes to the planning appeals process which reduce resident rights.
2. Restoring principles of democratic, transparent and accountable decision-making , community rights, independent scrutiny, meaningful community consultation and on-going continuous improvement in the planning system;
3. Restoring proper planning by recommencing planning in genuine collaboration with local councils, community, peak industry, environmental and heritage bodies;
4. Build public and affordable housing; and
5. Align fully funded infrastructure provision with housing and development programs.