The Minister for Planning today confirmed in the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee inquiry that only $24 million dollars had been set aside for the development of the new planning schemes and infrastructure across Melbourne's 60 new activity zones, with no funding available past June 2026.
The Minister also confirmed the $140 million dollar cut to her department, (which represents almost a halving of its budget) would mean no additional support would be given to local councils, to deal with the government's massive changes to land use across large swathes of Melbourne's established suburbs.
Shadow Minister for Planning, Richard Riordan said: "The Minister made it clear councils will be left to fend for themselves as Labor imposes sweeping land use changes on established suburbs."
"To have no funding and no plans for community infrastructure and extra open space is irresponsible planning."
"Local councils will need support to find the spaces and places for the Labor Government's predicted 800,000 population increase in existing suburbs."
"Victorians are already paying the highest taxes and charges in the country and now local councils will be forced to increase rates to help fund the Labor Government's lack of comprehensive planning in the middle of its housing crisis."
"Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage housing, and Victorians are paying the price."
