Tuesday, 27 May 2025

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:01): (1585) My constituency question is for the Minister for Planning. The Victorian government has approved a 17-storey apartment tower in Main Street, Greensborough, under the development facilitation program. This approval bypassed council’s planning process entirely, and locals in my electorate feel left out of the decision-making process. Banyule council has publicly stated that it has no decision-making role, and that concerns raised about the building height and limited car parking were not addressed. Planning controls on this site also removed the requirement for notice to affected residents, despite similar developments elsewhere requiring community notification. My question is: can the minister outline what consultation, if any, was undertaken with Banyule council and local residents prior to this approval and provide details on how community views were considered in the department’s decision-making process?