Tuesday, 11 August 2026

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (19:12): (1763) I ask the Minister for Planning to restore transparency and community consultation in Victoria’s planning system to give residents of South-West Coast the respect of knowing what is being proposed in their neighbourhoods. Across South-West Coast I am hearing from more residents who are discovering major developments after work has commenced, tenders have been issued and fences have gone up. People are being denied the opportunity to understand, question or contribute to decisions that affect their homes, their streets and their communities. Planning powers are increasingly being centralised in Melbourne, and local residents are being treated as an inconvenience.

Residents from a court in Warrnambool contacted me with concerns about what they believe is a proposed rooming house development in their street. Their concern is not about the occupants but about the impacts. Parking is already limited, and they are asking ‘How will 12 more cars fit in?’ They sought more information and were told there is nothing available locally. This is typical of this arrogant Victorian Labor government to ride roughshod over our local communities. I have also been contacted by residents alarmed to hear that a high-security compound surrounded by a razor wire topped fence is being built. Surely that would concern any of us. This lack of information has heightened anxiety. Homes Victoria has reportedly been asked to provide information to local residents, yet silence continues. The development is out for tender, but neighbours do not know what is being constructed beside their homes. When people are left in the dark, rumours fill the gap.

Across South-West Coast residents are raising questions about renewable energy projects, battery storage facilities and other significant developments. One resident on the outskirts of Warrnambool contacted me regarding a battery project proposed next to his property. His concerns relate to stormwater run-off, fire risk and the impacts on neighbouring land. These are issues that do deserve answers. Unfortunately, this corrupt Victorian Labor government has increasingly centralised planning powers in Spring Street through fast-track approval pathways and ministerial intervention powers. Developments are being approved by the Minister for Planning. Councils do not know what is happening. Residents do not know what is happening. Local knowledge is being ignored, and voices are being shut out. Whether it is a rooming house, a high-security compound requiring razor wire topped fences, a battery project, a renewable development or another significant project, residents deserve to know what is happening next door before decisions are made. The Liberal Party believe that development can proceed while respecting communities. Consultation is not an obstacle to good planning, it is an essential part of it. Our commitment is to restoring local voices to the planning process and ensure residents of South-West Coast are informed about developments that will affect their neighbourhoods before decisions are made rather than after construction has begun.