Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:06): (2430) My constituency question is for the Minister for Planning and is in relation to the Labor government’s decision not to extend significant landscape overlay 9 within Whitehorse. For the past eight years SLO9 has not only preserved but enhanced canopy coverage across Whitehorse, growing canopy coverage by 4.2 per cent over that period. On 16 June the government chose not to extend the overlay protection, and this coincided with the announcement of the finalisation of the Blackburn activity centre, which has removed essential planning controls across the area. It is completely at odds with the desires of the local community. A constituent of mine Ms Yvonne Bowyer has said that she is incredibly disappointed by this decision. The Whitehorse council have made it clear that they have rightfully argued that the government’s statewide canopy tree provisions do not achieve comparable canopy targets. Minister, will you reverse your decision to not extend SLO9 and return protections to the Whitehorse community?