Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Constituency questions

Southern Metropolitan Region

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:50): (409) My question is for the Minister for Planning in the other place, Minister Kilkenny. Two weeks ago our government signed off on the affordability partnerships with industry partners in recognition of the team Victoria effort needed to fight the housing crisis. I was on the ground, doorknocking residents, explaining what that will mean to them. The promise I gave them was to listen and to ensure that they are put at the heart of any decisions made. These reforms are needed. They will help clear the backlog of planning permits; give builders, buyers and renovators a better idea of how long approvals will take; and, importantly, streamline dispute resolution. As the minister said, they will:

… boost housing supply … and give industry greater certainty with a planning system that works for Victorians – not against them.

That is why my question to the minister is: how will streamlining the planning process benefit my community of Southern Metro?