Media release
16 July 2010
Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett
has given the go ahead for up to 75,000
new homes within Melbourne’s current growth
boundary. The planned developments are spread
across 28 existing precincts around Melbourne.
The approval comes as
part of a strategic assessment program for
Melbourne’s urban expansion.
“This is a first step
in meeting Melbourne’s growing housing needs
in a way that puts the environment at the
forefront of the planning process,” Mr Garrett
said.
“The strategic assessment
allowed us to find the best possible way
of protecting our biodiversity while enabling
sustainable growth.
The strategic assessment,
which is a process set out under the national
environment law, was completed in February
this year. Individual components can now
be approved with minimal red tape.
“Stepping back and taking
a broadscale, forward-thinking approach
means the highest quality parts of the landscape
are protected from the outset.
“Under the program more
than 15,000 hectares of land will be set
aside as reserves for critically endangered
grasslands, which will boost the current
two per cent of this grassland currently
in reserves to 20 per cent. Up to 1200 hectares
of critically endangered eucalypt woodlands
will also be protected.
“Melbourne’s urban planners
now have a framework that will serve them
and the environment well into the future,”
Mr Garrett said.
“This puts an end to
the piecemeal approach and the ‘death by
a thousand cuts’ that can happen when environmental
concerns are an afterthought.
Last month Mr Garrett
gave approval for the regional rail link
that is also part of this strategic assessment
program.
“The railway will service
the new growth centres to the west of Melbourne
in Melton and Wyndham, and allow planning
of suburbs to be based around fast and efficient
public transport,” he said.
“It will have big economic
and social benefits for the people of Melbourne,
including regional cities like Geelong and
Ballarat.
“At the same time, the
chosen rail route is one that will have
the least impact on the environment. It
avoids larger nationally protected grassland
patches, and a thorough assessment has found
that it is unlikely to affect nearby wetlands
or migratory species.
The strategic assessment
program allows for future growth plans catering
for a further 284,000 new homes.
More information can
be found at www.environment.gov.au/epbc/notices/assessments/melbourne.html
