The City of Casey has joined five other Green Wedge local councils calling on the Victorian Government to work with all 17 Green Wedge councils across the State as it progresses important planning reforms.
The Victorian Government’s Planning for Melbourne’s Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Action Plan 2024 aims to better protect Green Wedge and agricultural land through stronger planning controls.
The joint letter acknowledges that implementation of the reforms starts with Amendment VC322, while calling for local councils to be involved in shaping the remaining reforms.
Mayor Cr Michelle Crowther said protecting Green Wedge land was important not only for Melbourne’s future, but also for the local community for generations to come.
“Our Green Wedges are incredibly valuable, helping to protect agricultural land, biodiversity and open space. It’s also an important part in what makes the south of Casey a unique place to live and work,” she said.
“We welcome the Victorian Government’s commitment to stronger protections, but we also want to make sure planning controls recognise that every Green Wedge is different.
“Local councils understand these areas and the communities around them. That local knowledge should help inform the decisions that will shape the future of our Green Wedges.
“We want to work with the Victorian Government to make sure these reforms deliver strong and lasting protections for these important areas.”
City of Casey has joined Knox City Council, Cardinia Shire Council, City of Kingston, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Nillumbik Shire Council in writing to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny.
These local councils are calling on the Victorian Government to urgently engage with all 17 Green Wedge councils before the remaining reforms are finalised. These advocacy efforts are aimed at ensuring future planning controls recognise the distinctive role and function of each Green Wedge, and more importantly the voices of the local communities that reside in them.
