Today, Wednesday, 4 February, 2009, a media release from the Victorian government, entitled, "Brumby acts on jobs", came out with the worst possible news.
Brumby (the Premier of Victoria, Australia) has announced he is fast tracking development - supposedly for the sake of the economy.
Mr Madden given dangerous powers
Instead of the infrastructure that should be worked on and which would employ lots of people, he is fast tracking building. He is giving the Minister for Planning, Mr Madden, the power to call in anything he wants to.
What this is doing is pouring our tax payers money into the developers pockets. Some of developers are on the skids financially and now our hard-earned money is going to be poured into their parasitically acquired debts.
An unhealthy obsession
Brumby is obsessed about building and so prepared to be a dictator and wipe out our remaining democratic rights.
Read the press release below and make a big bloody fuss.
Write to the media and get on to the morning radio shows if you think that will make a difference. Write to Brumby, but please also send copies to people all over the country, and to astridnova[AT]bigpond.com so candobetter can know about them. See the https://marvellousmelbourne.org/ for contact details for the so-called authorities and mainstream media.
The media release also included a lot about building public housing, which would not be necessary if the private development lobby had not been allowed to push the price of housing up by forcing population growth on Victoria.
Yesterday the demonstrators wanted a return of democracy - this is another nail in the coffin of democracy.
What will you do when your back is to the wall?
See the original government propaganda below
"Media release From the Premier of Victoria
Wednesday, 4 February, 2009
BRUMBY ACTS ON JOBS
“In these tougher global times, our Government is taking action to create jobs now and lock in Victoria’s future,” Mr Brumby said.
“Under changes I am foreshadowing today, our Government will identify key projects to fast-track; the Planning Minister can call them in; and we will get the work and the jobs flowing much more quickly.”
Joined at the start of works by Grocon CEO Daniel Grollo, Housing Minister Richard Wynne, Planning Minister Justin Madden and the Member for Melbourne Bronwyn Pike, Mr Brumby said the planning reforms were a result of the Jobs and Economic Roundtable he hosted last week with key banking and development representatives.
Key reforms to speed up investment and jobs will centre on the State Government undertaking a rolling audit of pending projects and identifying significant projects that will deliver economic and employment benefits while meeting the Government’s planning policy objectives.
Once projects are identified, the Minister for Planning will consider whether to take a range of actions, including;
· Calling in significant projects that generate jobs, environmental or social benefits held up at VCAT, such as a Southbank project for 224 apartments representing $75 million and 2700 direct and indirect jobs;
· Removing roadblocks that may be holding up good development projects such as placing on exhibition a planning scheme amendment to break the impasse holding up a $50 million shopping centre in Waurn Ponds with 1800 direct and indirect jobs;
· Calling in complex planning permit applications from councils that are gridlocked such as the Northcote Bowl redevelopment of 96 apartments worth $37 million creating 1300 direct and indirect jobs; and
· Identifying projects early and work with councils and proponents to achieve quicker approval such as the Pakenham retail, office, community and residential development worth $100 million and 1500 jobs, Chirnside Park golf course residential subdivision worth $300 million and 1500 jobs.
“Our Government owes it to all Victorians to do everything we can to create more jobs as quickly as possible and that is precisely what our reforms to planning will achieve,” he said.
“There are currently 1876 pending planning applications before VCAT, worth $1.3 billion. We want to work in partnership with VCAT to see how much of that potential investment and jobs can be unlocked by fast-tracking significant projects.”
The Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, said he was prepared to take appropriate action on significant development projects on a case-by-case basis, provided they complied with the State Government’s planning framework.
“To ensure this happens, our Government will provide clear guidance and ensure that well designed projects will be approved in a reasonable time. I can also give an assurance that decisions will be transparent and community views will continue to be sought,” Mr Madden said.
Further reforms to planning announced last year are in progress with legislation creating Development Assessment Committees being introduced this parliamentary session. These will help to promote appropriate development around Central Activities Districts."
Buggar the Central Activities Districts. Victorians don't want them or need them. Redistribute land and wealth from the developers and stop population and economic growth. Time to grow up and clean up our rotten government and its retinue of parasitic planners, builders, banks and developers.
Comments
Anonymous (not verified)
Wed, 2009-02-04 21:04
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Construction Activity in Victoria
quark
Wed, 2009-02-04 21:55
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Brumby
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