Regional policy
The Regional Policy unit is responsible for developing regional policy advice and plans on the wide range of planning policy issues which influence land use and urban growth across regional Victoria. The unit’s work is informed by policy drivers such as:
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climate change adaptation and mitigation;
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risks associated with water supply uncertainty, increased incidence of bushfires and coastal inundation; and
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increasing populations in some parts of regional Victoria and changing demographics.
Current Key Projects
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Future Farming Rural Planning Group: A $3.79 million, four year project to establish a new Rural Planning Group to identify and plan for future scenarios for farming and farming communities. The aim is to enable Victoria's farm businesses to become more productive, competitive and sustainable as they enter an era of unprecedented change.
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Rural Land-Use Planning Program: A $500,000 initiative which aims to build on the successful implementation of the new rural zones and assist councils to resource the necessary strategic planning work to improve the protection and management of rural land within planning schemes. Applications for funding are currently being sought.
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Regional Town Development Program: A $500,000 initiative to assist five local councils to develop plans which will expedite the availability of residential land, while incorporating best practice urban design. The five centres are Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Latrobe and Wodonga.
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Regional Urban Development Program: The Regional Urban Development Program (RUDP) is closely linked to the Regional Town Development Program. The RUDP focuses on analysing and reporting on land demand and supply in regional centres.
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Murray River Strategy: The project focuses on integrated planning for settlements in the Murray River corridor, ensuring that economic, social and environmental issues are addressed.
Want to know what projects are underway in your region?
- Barwon South West which consists of City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surfcoast Shire Council, Colac-Otway Shire Council, Corangamite Shire Council, Moyne Shire Council, Glenelg Shire Council, Warrnambool City Council, Southern Grampians Shire Council
- Grampians which consists of West Wimmera Shire Council, Hindmarsh Shire Council, Yarriambiack Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Shire Council, City of Ballarat, Pyrenees Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, Moorabool Shire Council and Golden Plains Shire Council
- Loddon Mallee which consists of Mildura Rural City Council, Swan Hill Rural City Council, Buloke Shire Council, Gannawarra Shire Council, Loddon Shire Council, Central Goldfields Shire Council, City of Greater Bendigo, Shire of Campaspe, Mount Alexander Shire Council and Macedon Ranges Shire Council
- Hume which consists of Murrindindi Shire Council, Mitchell Shire Council, Mansfield Shire Council, Strathbogie Shire Council, Benalla Rural City Council, Rural City of Wangaratta, Alpine Shire Council, Towong Shire Council, Indigo Shire Council, Wodonga City Council, Moira Shire Council, City of Greater Shepparton
- Gippsland which consists of Bass Coast Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council, Latrobe City Council, Wellington Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council