Michael speaks with Clifford Hayes, Member of the Legislative Assembly - Sustainable Australia Party's Southern Metropolitan region Victoria, about his private members bill which proposes significant changes to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 which will give local councils more control of local planning policy and maximum building heights in their municipal districts.

 

It responds to widespread resident concern about overdevelopment, particularly in suburban Melbourne, and the loss of resident say in the granting of planning permits, and as a result the loss of resident say in the character of their street, neighbourhood and community.

 

The provisions of the Bill establish a much greater power for local Councils to establish and enforce maximum height limits for new developments. This will enable residents to better protect themselves from the loss of privacy caused by overlooking from high rise developments.