Food chain in danger

By Jade Lawton
Amendments to the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) – touted as the last significant boundary shift of this generation – were passed through Parliament last Thursday.
The State Government said the shift was a boon for housing affordability, with an estimated 134,000 new homes to be built on Melbourne’s expanded outer fringe.
But City of Casey mayor Lorraine Wreford said the boundary change was ‘a huge blow to the entire state’ with parts of the Bunyip Food Belt earmarked for future developments.
“This is (not only) a short-sighted, short-term solution to the housing affordability issues, but a disastrous planning decision for this state’s long-term future,” Cr Wreford said.
“The agricultural lands of the Bunyip Food Belt have the potential to not only supply abundant and fresh produce to the people of Casey, but to the whole State.”
Cr Wreford said the council had worked hard to advocate protection of the food belt and was disappointed in the government’s ‘crude, basic and irresponsible’ decision.
“Council is not against growth, and supports the expansion of the UGB in other parts of Casey, but I can’t understand why the Government has ignored the council’s common-sense plan, which could have comfortably achieved the government’s population targets.”
Balla Balla Ward Councillor Geoff Ablett agreed, criticising the lack of infrastructure to accompany the new estates.
But Planning Minister Justin Madden said the UGB expansion was critical to maintaining housing affordability.
“Maintaining liveability and safeguarding future housing affordability depends on making good planning decisions now, so we can protect the lifestyle in existing suburbs and brand new communities well in to the future,” he said.
“The Brumby Labor Government supports sustainable population growth and is determined to link growth with new job opportunities, transport links and services for families.”
Mr Madden said the next stage would be consultation on the Growth Area Framework and preparation of Precinct Structure Plans for the new suburbs.
The controversial Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) will fund infrastructure, particularly public transport links.