State drops its DACs for city

Jessica Benton
State Government should reinstate its plan to appoint a committee for fast-tracking development applications in Geelong, according to a lobby group.
Committee for Geelong executive director Peter Dorling said the group was a long-time supporter of the Government taking a “higher interest” in planning decisions affecting the city.
The state upper house recently rejected proposed Government legislation to create Development Assessment Committees, dashing hopes of helping projects avoid council red tape.
The Independent reported earlier this month that members of Geelong’s council had joined a statewide group, Coalition of Concerned Councillors, to fight the legislation. Geelong’s Barbara Abley said the proposed reforms threatened “a denial of democracy” because they would limit the role of council in planning processes.
Mr Dorling said the committees would mean the state was “prepared to assist Geelong with major developments for the city centre, like Melbourne”.
“I think we should be treated in the same way,” he said.
“I think the community of Geelong should be flattered State Government is taking a keen interest in Geelong.”
Mr Dorling said the committees could include ample local government representation to ensure councils were not stripped of their power.
Mr Dorling called for the Government to push ahead with the committees plan after Property Council of Victoria addressed Committee for Geelong members this week.
Division adviser Rachel Saunders told the lunch meeting that the property council backed the committees for fast-tracking “key building projects”.
“It’s time for Victoria to really prosper and to speed up the development process as opposed to the view that these committees are taking away community’s rights,” Ms Saunders said.
She hoped the state would reintroduce the legislation soon.