The Minister for Planning has approved and is now seeking parliamentary ratification of Amendment VC55. Subject to Parliament's approval of the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution legislation it will then come into operation. Amendment VC55 will implement new planning scheme provisions that address the objectives of Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities.

The proposal includes:

• A review of the Urban Growth Boundary and the land designated for development, to accommodate around 284,000 of the 600,000 new homes required across Melbourne to accommodate the city's growing population;
• An alignment for the Regional Rail Link (west of Werribee to Deer Park), which will provide more frequent and reliable regional rail services in Melbourne's west where country trains reach the metropolitan network and boost the capacity of the metropolitan rail system. Major construction on the Regional Rail Link is expected to start in 2010.
• An alignment for the Outer Metropolitan Ring/E6 Transport Corridor, which will cater for expected increases in the volume of freight and people moving around outer metropolitan Melbourne and Victoria over the coming decades. Construction on the Outer Metropolitan Ring/E6 Transport Corridor is not expected to start before 2020.
• Establishment and management of the proposed grassland reserves in Melbourne's west to ensure the long-term conservation of a nationally significant and threatened ecosystem.

Please refer to Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities: Amendment VC55 webpage for more information.

To see how your property is affected please visit Melbourne Planning Maps Online.

For further information please call the information line on 1800 090 789, or call the Growth Areas Authority on 9651 9600.

Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) - proposed legislation released

Following the release of the Draft Exposure Bill in October 2009, and subsequent public comment process, the Planning and Environment Amendment (Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution) Bill 2009  has now been tabled in Parliament. It is still subject to final Parliamentary decision.  To view the tabled legislation, please use the Parliamentary Document link at www.legislation.vic.gov.au.

For more information please read the Consolidated and Updated Information Sheet - Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) - November 2009. Please note, this replaces all previous Information Sheets prepared by the Growth Areas Authority and they should no longer be used.

Media Release: New Shape of Melbourne to cater for Growth - Madden More...