Guy hands over some control

Some of Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s control over Southbank was diminished last month, when he handed back planning power for a number of prominent sites.

At times a loathed figure among Southbank residents (due to his planning decisions on residential towers), Mr Guy has given the City of Melbourne planning authority for sites such as South Wharf, the Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company theatre and the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Minister Guy said he and the Government believed the council was now the best-placed authority to manage these local planning decisions.

“We are now moving to hand these planning powers back in the next few weeks, building on previous decisions to hand back planning power in some strategic sites to councils, by the Coalition Government,” Mr Guy said.

“A number of these sites to be redeveloped, are sites of local significance and will require detailed council input and, as such, the Coalition Government believes that the relevant local council is best placed to manage then,” he added.

City of Melbourne councillor and Chair of Planning, Ken Ong, said the city was ready to take on the extra responsibility.

“I welcome these transfers of planning authority to the City of Melbourne and thank the Minister,” Cr Ong said.

He also explained the city encouraged more planning responsibility, adding: “The City of Melbourne looks forward to further reforms in the future.”