Melbourne 2030 Audit
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Melbourne 2030 Audit: Analysis of Progress and Findings from the 2006 Census The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) was established on 14 August 2007 and will deliver improvements in urban development, including ensuring growing communities have the support, services and infrastructure they need. The department will also focus on building strong local communities across the state and will make sure that community development is at the core of planning and urban development. References to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) within this document can be generally taken as referring to the Department of Planning and Community Development, except where they refer to environmental functions which remain the focus of the DSE. References to the former Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) can also generally be taken as referring to the Department of Planning and Community Development. Published by the Department of Planning and Community Development 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Victoria 3002 © Copyright State Government of Victoria 2007 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne. ISBN 978-1-74208-133-5. Contents Purpose of this document This report outlines key findings of the 2006 Census and provides an analysis of progress made in implementing Melbourne 2030. These findings have been informed by early analysis of 2006 Census data, a review of Victorian Government actions in implementing Melbourne 2030 and the views of key stakeholders. This report will assist the work of the independent Audit Expert Group and organisations interested in Melbourne 2030 and the Audit. The report is structured around six key questions for consideration during Stages 2 and 3 of the Audit. What have been the major external trends in the last five years? 6 Has the first five year Implementation Program been completed? 14 What progress has been made in major policy areas? 15 Activity centres 15 Urban Growth Boundary 22 Green wedges 23 Growth area planning 25 Parks, waterways and open space 29 Protecting the suburbs and better urban design outcomes 30 Transport 32 Environmental sustainability 38 A more prosperous city 40 A fairer city and housing affordability 42 Better planning decisions 47 Partnerships in Melbourne 2030 implementation 48 Is new development reflecting the intent ofMelbourne 2030? 50 What policy refinements are needed? 54 What initiatives need to be completed over the next five years to enhance effective implementation of Melbourne 2030? 54 The Audit is an important opportunity to reflect on what has been done and what needs to be done in the future to enhance Melbourne’s liveability. More detailed information about the findings of the Audit will be provided when it is completed in 2008. Melbourne 2030 Audit: Analysis of Progress and Findings from the 2006 Census 3 Introduction About Melbourne 2030 About the Melbourne 2030 Audit Melbourne 2030 - Planning for Sustainable Growth is In June 2006, the Minister for Planning announced an the Victorian Government’s strategic plan to manage audit of Melbourne 2030 would focus on: growth and change across metropolitan Melbourne. ■ assessing whether new development on the ground Released in 2002, it provides a long-term framework reflected the intent of Melbourne 2030 to reduce urban sprawl, consolidate an increased share of urban development around transport nodes ■ assessing whether the first five year to more efficiently use existing infrastructure, and implementation program had been completed and improve access to services and facilities. At the core its effectiveness of Melbourne 2030 are nine ‘directions’ or desired ■ identifying initiatives to be completed over the next results. Achieving these over time depends on putting five years to continue effectively implementing into action specific, carefully-framed policies and Melbourne 2030. initiatives: While it is too early in the life of Melbourne 2030 to Direction 1 – A more compact city assess the full impact of all implementation activities, it is important to take stock of progress and make Direction 2 – Better management of adjustments where necessary. metropolitan growth For over 150 years, Melbourne has benefited from Direction 3 – Networks with the an ongoing process of metropolitan planning which regional cities continues to look ahead 25 to 30 years (and longer with respect to major infrastructure decisions). Direction 4 – A more prosperous city The Audit is a key step in continuing that legacy and Direction 5 – A great place to be delivering on Policy 9.3 in Melbourne 2030 which commits to keeping Melbourne 2030 up to date. Direction 6 – A fairer city Direction 7 – A greener city Direction 8 – Better transport links Direction 9 – Better planning decisions, careful management 4 Melbourne 2030 Audit: Analysis of Progress and Findings from the 2006 Census The Victorian Government has established a three About the Audit Expert Group stage process for the Audit which will provide for (AEG) input by interested parties: In June 2007, the Minister for Planning announced a > Stage 1 - a stocktake conducted by the four-member independent AEG to provide advice Department of Sustainability and Environment during Stage 2 of the Audit, including helping review (now the Department of Planning and Community submissions from the community, local government, Development) which considers recent trends and industry and key stakeholders. The members of the the views of key stakeholders. This ‘Melbourne 2030 AEG are: Audit: Analysis of Progress and Findings from the 2006 Census’ report forms part of Stage 1 of the Audit. ■ Chair: Professor Rob Moodie, current Chair of Global Health, University of Melbourne. > Stage 2 - establishment of an independent Audit Former CEO of the Victorian Health Promotion Expert Group (AEG) to: Foundation with almost 30 years experience in ■ consider information gathered during the stocktake multi-disciplinary public policy roles. ■ consider information and views provided through ■ Michael Wright (Queens Counsel), a public submissions process a specialist in planning law for 40 years. ■ provide advice to the government on priorities ■ David Whitney, an eminent Victorian planner for enhancing and promoting Melbourne’s liveability with over 35 years experience. through Melbourne 2030 implementation. ■ Dr Ann McAfee, an international planning The AEG is expected to submit its report and expert with many years of experience at the City of recommendations to the Minister for Planning in Vancouver (Canada). early 2008. The terms of reference for the AEG are available > Stage 3 - consideration by the State Government on the Melbourne 2030 website of the information and advice gathered from (www.melbourne2030.vic.gov.au). Stages 1 and 2. Melbourne 2030 Audit: Analysis of Progress and Findings from the 2006 Census 5 What have been the major external trends in the last five years? Major external trends identified during Stage 1 of the ■ Environmental issues, including climate Audit are summarised as: change and water management - Environmental issues have evolved into central policy ■ Population and household growth - considerations at the core of government decision- The 2006 Census shows Australia continued to making. These challenges were anticipated when record faster population growth than other major developing Melbourne 2030, and the framework it developed world economies. Victoria’s average provides for managing environmental issues remains annual growth rate was 1.3 per cent in the period appropriate. However the degree of urgency 2001-2006, compared with 1.1 per cent in 1996-2001 attached to addressing them has increased. and 0.6 per cent in 1991-1996. At 30 June 2006, the population of Melbourne was 3.74 million and ■ Rising petrol prices and transport costs - the population of regional Victoria was 1.38 million. Increasing petrol and transport costs have The fastest growing municipalities in metropolitan highlighted the importance of ensuring Melbourne’s Melbourne were located on the urban fringe, as public transport is a viable option for a higher well as the municipality of Melbourne, continuing proportion of journeys. While this was also the trend established in the 1996-2001 intercensal anticipated when Melbourne 2030 was released period. There were no municipalities in the in 2002, significant growth in public transport Melbourne metropolitan region that lost population patronage and the possibility of future petrol price between 2001 and 2006. This compares with the rises make the implementation of activity centre period 1996-2001 when three municipalities lost policy and an ongoing commitment to improving the population. Declining household size is also a trend, Principal Public Transport Network more urgent. with 90 per cent of additional households between Investment in the transport system has increased 2001 and 2031 projected to be one and two person significantly since Melbourne 2030 was released, households. Updated population and demographic particularly after the Linking Melbourne: Metropolitan projections will be prepared in 2008, informed by Transport Plan was released and $10.5 billion was the results of the 2006 Census. committed in Meeting Our Transport Challenges. ■ Economic growth - Analysis of trends shows ■ Housing affordability - This has generally economic growth has been strong in the last five declined