From: Peter Seamer Sent: Monday, 20 August 2007 6:05 PM Subject: Quick update from the Growth Areas Authority

Dear Collegue,

Being a relatively new CEO of the Growth Areas Authority (GAA), I’m reviewing the way we communicate with you. Rather than sending out infrequent brochures I'd like to send you an occasional quick email with relevant news updates.

If you find this of use I'll keep sending it. If not please reply accordingly to [email protected] and we will ensure these don't come to you.

The GAA

We have been officially operational since last September and while we are increasingly active in the planning area we are now building a capacity in infrastructure planning and coordination. You will hear more about this in coming months. Our website gives a reasonable description of our activities and it can be found at www.gaa.vic.gov.au.

Shake-up for planning

New Premier ’s prioritising of urban planning has created some excitement on Spring Street, with the establishment of the new Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD).

Led by the Minister for Planning , DPCD will now drive the development agenda in .

The Office of Planning and Urban Design, Heritage Victoria and the Building and Housing Affordability Unit will now all be part of the new Department, which incorporates most of the old Department of Victorian Communities. The new Department will advise and support eight Ministers – John Brumby, , Peter Batchelor, , , , Tony Robinson, and Justin Madden.

The new Parliamentary Secretary for Planning will be The Hon MLC.

The GAA, being a Statutory Authority, and not part of the Department will be indirectly affected by this. We will continue to advise Minister Madden on land supply and the infrastructure needs of the future. Our aim is to significantly improve planning processes around the release of land and give government more sophisticated and long-term advice on both planning and infrastructure provision.

The move to put planning with community development, and the broadening of the role of our Minister is welcome and should strengthen, and streamline planning in the State.

17,000 new jobs for Hume

As well as tackling housing affordability, the GAA is working hard to help create jobs close to where people live. The GAA is accelerating the planning and release of 420 hectares of new employment land in Hume, to create a new employment zone in ’s north based around the Kalkallo Creek wetland. The Merriefield development is now on public exhibition at the City of Hume, and includes plans for new manufacturing operations, corporate headquarters and smaller businesses providing up to 17,000 new jobs.

New face at GAA

Helping us with that goal is our new Director of Corporate Services, Ed Small, who comes to the Authority with the unusual background of being a chartered accountant with an MBA, and a Master’s degree in urban planning. Ed has had a background in private enterprise and the public sector, most recently at the City of Moonee Valley.

Finally

Thanks for your interest. If you have any suggestions on what I should cover in emails like this in the future please let me know. As always any suggestions on our work at the GAA are welcome.

Kind regards

Peter Seamer Chief Executive Officer

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