Melbourne 2030

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Melbourne 2030 is a Victorian Government urban planning blueprint for the metropolis of Melbourne covering the period 2000-2030 in which the population of the urban area is expected to grow to just under 5 million people.

Introduced by the Bracks (ALP) government it has a main focus on:

increasing of population density in the inner and middle suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne by concentrating development on designated "activity centres" close to transport hubs. The policy has particular emphasis on public transport over traditional development which has a focus on the private motor car, however the blueprint itself does not advocate further investment in the public transport system.
reducing urban sprawl by establishing artificial urban growth boundaries, thus limiting development outside of them
protecting green wedges from development^[1]

It gives the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) the authority to overrule planning disputes in favour a developer if in the interests of the objectives of the policy.

1 Criticisms and Controversy
2 See Also
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Criticisms and Controversy

Melbourne 2030 has caused much controversy. For example, the National Trust of Victoria is concerned about the effect on inner city heritage, particularly in sensitive suburbs such as Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood^[2] and South Yarra. In another example, public transport advocates are doubtful about the capability of the privatised transport system to handle increased patronage without a large increase government investment.

State opposition leader Ted Baillieu has criticised the policy of "no new dams" while increasing the population by another 1 million people. ^[3] Melbourne struggles to provide sufficient fresh water to its existing residents.

The Public Transport Users Association was critical about the promise of 20% of motorised trips by public transport in 2020, claiming that the existing system is at capacity and could not cope with a tripling of users without expansion and increased frequency of services.

At the same time, proponents have been critical of the implementation of Melbourne 2030 with many believing that the government is abandoning aspects the blueprint. For example, after a boom in outer Melbourne housing, the government released more land for outer suburban development beyond the urban growth boundary (see above). Other policies, such as the construction of freeways (including the 45 kilometre EastLink tollway, Pakenham bypass, and Craigieburn Bypass) and upgrading of existing freeway systems (including the CityLink tollway, Monash Freeway, and West Gate Freeway) appear to many to be at odds with Melbourne 2030.

[edit] See Also

Postcode 3000 - 1990s
Rescode - a design guide for medium density housing in Melbourne which came into effect on 24 August 2001
Transport and Livability Statement - delivered in 17 May 2006