In a bid to speed up housing and planning approvals in country Victoria, more building surveyors will be deployed across five regional councils in a recently announced pilot program.
This decision sees the Labor Government backtracking on their decision to axe planning flying squads in 2015, despite being seen as both cost-effective and successful.
Re-instating the planning squads follows years of advocacy from The Nationals who say the squads would ensure more houses are built in regional areas by taking pressure off struggling smaller councils.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said several local councils were dealing with considerable backlogs when it came to approving planning permits and it was preventing necessary development in regional areas.
“We have been calling on this government to provide additional support to our smaller councils for years, even introducing it as an election promise in 2022,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Labor’s decision to axe these planning squads in 2015 only worsened the housing crisis in regional Victoria—a short-sighted move that ignored the squads’ vital role in driving regional development.
“Since the squads were disbanded, many of our regional councils have been left without the resources to handle strategic and statutory planning needed to fast-track land to market. This has led to backlogs, delays, and stalled development in our towns.
“Without new lots being opened up for housing, our regional towns are missing out on the benefits of an increasing population, including affordable housing, small business opportunities, and access to better services.”
The pilot program will currently only operate in the Yarriambiack, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Loddon, and Swan Hill council areas, and is expected to run until 2026.
Ms Cleeland said it was important that any assistance provided to councils must be extended across all regional communities as a matter of priority.
“This issue has been apparent for some time, and it is important that assistance is provided to all regional councils to ensure housing and planning projects can be delivered efficiently and effectively before people take their business elsewhere,” Ms Cleeland said.
