COUNCILS could be stripped of their planning powers in the near future, Premier Daniel Andrews says.
The comments were made after the release of IBAC’s report on corruption allegations made against Casey Council. IBAC found that two Casey councillors, Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett, received payment and in-kind support to support the interests of developer John Woodman.
Among the 34 recommendations included in the IBAC report was the removal of planning powers from local councils. The report read “IBAC recommends that the minister for planning develops and introduces to Parliament amendments to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) to remove statutory planning responsibilities from councillors, [and] introduce determinative planning panels for statutory planning matters, where a local council is currently the responsible authority.”
Last week, Premier Daniel Andrews flagged support for the recommendation. “The IBAC report’s 34 recommendations will be given appropriate consideration, but it is the clear position of the government that the role of local councils in significant planning decisions should be reduced and we will have more to say on this matter,” he said.
“What went on at the City of Casey was completely unacceptable and the government sacked the council in 2020. However, it is clear from the report that more work must be done. The government will consider each of the report’s 34 recommendations and respond in due course.”
In 2020, Kingston Council ordered a probity review into its dealings with Woodman and other people named in IBAC’s Operation Sandon. The review’s final report cleared the council of widespread wrongdoing (“Council corruption probe findings released” The News 12/5/21).
First published in the Frankston Times – 1st August 2023