Renowned planner Dr Marcus Spiller, Principal of the eminent planning and economics firm SGS, has granted approval to upload some signature documents to PaRC.
In 2024, Dr Spiller and colleague Jo Noesgaard published an Occasional Paper proposing a preferred approach to the calculation of public open space (POS) development
contributions under Victorian legislation. Councils rely heavily on development contributions under Cl53.01 of the Victoria Planning Provisions to acquire and develop public open space. However, there is little formal guidance from the State Government as to how the rates which are potentially enshrined in Cl53.01 might be calculated and strategically justified.
Business as usual arrangements, under which most of metropolitan Melbourne is covered by contribution rates of 5 per cent or less of site value, would see a rapid
deterioration of access to POS given the projected strong growth of the city. As councils go about reviewing their Cl53.01 rates, it is important that they have regard to four key principles.
These include:
- treating the municipality as one planning unit;
- ensuring that POS supply is adequate in quantum, accessibility, and quality;
- applying contribution obligations equitably regardless of the timing of development; and
applying contributions to all land use types.
This timely and authoritative report complements an earlier post on PaRC Parkland surrender at time of subdivision featuring a draft guideline by Queenslander Jeremy Addision.