Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) are master plans for whole communities which are usually for between 10,000 to 30,000 people. Precinct structure planning is fundamental to making Victoria's growth areas great places to live, both today and for future generations. PSP's lay out roads, shopping centres, schools, parks, housing, employment and the connections to transport.
The development of greenfield sites, along with urban consolidation, is an important part of the State Government's strategy to address strong population growth and the housing and employment demands that flow from this.
Precinct structure plans are created to set the blueprint for development and investment that will occur over many years. They provide an up to date approach to addressing current global issues such as adapting to climate change, reducing carbon emissions, rising living costs and pressures of increasing travel distances as our cities grow. Precinct structure plans provide a balance between meeting complex policy requirements and providing affordable development.
Our goal is to create diverse, compact and well connected communities that are affordable and rich in local jobs, transport access, services and culture. We must also protect our valuable natural and historic features and use land more efficiently.
The introduction of the Urban Growth Zone in March 2008 places greater emphasis on the use of precinct structure plans to guide development and the need for integrated planning at an early stage in the process.
The Growth Areas Authority (GAA) is the statutory authority responsible for overseeing the preparation of all precinct structure plans in Melbourne's growth areas and advising the Minister for Planning on their approval.
The GAA is working in partnership with the growth area councils to complete the remaining part of the GAA 40 PSP program to take the pressure off places where land is scarcest. The GAA and councils are working to make sure the plans are simple, clear and not too inflexible. The focus is on the content and delivery of Government policy, not on how the plans are prepared.
The PSPs can be prepared and funded by council, the GAA or other agencies directed to do so by the Minister for Planning. In all cases the process will require the active involvement of land owners, developers, service and infrastructure providers and councils.
For more information about the location of the PSPs, please see the PSP Location Map (2MB).
The PSPs set out where new developments will go, how jobs will be created and the community and other uses of the land. As of September 2009, the progress on the schedule of the 40 PSPs is:
| 1) Ten completed:
Cranbourne North (Stage 1) Cardinia Road Folkstone Employment Area 2) Four at planning scheme amendment stage: Robinsons Road Employment Area South |
3) 13 under preparation: Botanic Ridge Cardinia Road Employment Area Cranbourne North (Stage 2) Officer Pakenham Employment Area (Stage 1) Craigieburn (R2) Greenvale North Greenvale South (R3) Melton North Taylors Hill West
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4) Three at pre-planning stage: 5) Ten yet to begin: |
The aim is to complete all 40 PSPs by 2012, creating around 90,000 new homes. The 10 PSPs have already delivered 27,855 new residential lots and 960 hectares rezoned for employment.