Planning blight, fair compensation and the P&E Amendment Act: what landowners need to know now
Why this case matters for landowners The recent Barrett judgment clarifies how compensation is assessed when a planning reservation constrains development. Most importantly for landowners and claimants, the Court explained where the legal onus lies and how uncertainty in the “before and after” valuation is resolved. The result materially strengthens the position of affected landowners […]
ReadmoreNot the ‘vibe’ – VCAT confirms operator identity is irrelevant to planning permit decisions
McDonald’s Australia Limited v Darebin CC [2026] VCAT 283 (24 April 2026) Key takeaway In the recent Northcote McDonald’s case, VCAT has delivered a clear message: councils cannot refuse a permit amendment simply because the community objects to a particular brand or operator. Where a use is permitted as of right under the planning scheme, […]
ReadmoreVictoria’s planning shake up: What developers need to know
Victoria is on the cusp of its most transformative planning reform in decades. The Planning Amendment Better Decisions Made Faster Bill 2025 (Bill) aims to modernise the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Act), streamlining approvals, reducing delays and accelerating housing delivery. These sweeping changes will directly affect landowners and developers, altering permit application processes, planning […]
ReadmoreHow are heritage properties in Victoria now assessed for land tax?
Landowners who own investments properties, commercial properties, holiday homes and vacant land are required to pay land tax. A landowner’s annual land tax is based on the “site value” of all the taxable land owned. The “site value” of land is set by the Valuer-General and reflects the unimproved value of the land, meaning the […]
ReadmoreMinister for Planning approves the Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan
The Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) was approved by the Minister for Planning and officially gazetted on 5 August 2025, as part of Amendment C158mith to the Mitchell Planning Scheme. The PSP outlines a comprehensive framework for developing approximately 1,279 hectares of land situated south of Wallan and northwest of Beveridge in Victoria. […]
ReadmoreKey Takeaways: VPELA Planning Minster’s Address
Earlier this week, the Gadens Planning & Environment Team attended VPELA’s annual Planning Minister’s Address in Melbourne. Before a packed house of planning industry professionals, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP provided an overview of the suite of planning reforms the Department is currently working through in order to deliver more housing to Victorian, as well a […]
ReadmoreDevelopers don’t look away now…the week that was
Last year the Victorian State Government announced ambitious housing targets, committing to delivering 800,000 dwellings in greater Melbourne over the next 10 years, plus 425,600 new homes for regional Victoria by 2051. Under increasing pressure to meet these targets, the Government has had a bumper week of housing-related announcements. The Gadens Real Estate & Construction […]
ReadmoreLife in the (planning) fast lane… what’s the cost?
Last year the State Government expanded Victoria’s Development Facilitation Program (DFP) – making the Minister for Planning the decision maker for significant residential developments ($50 Million or more in Melbourne, or $15 Million or more in regional Victoria) that include affordable housing. As a result of these changes to the DFP, many developers have (or are in the process […]
ReadmoreDoing business in Australia
The Gadens Doing business in Australia guide provides foreign investors with an overview of the Australian business, economic and regulatory environment, as well as practical advice on how to go about setting up and doing business in Australia. Australia is an ideal investment location for foreign companies looking to grow internationally, benefitting from well-developed infrastructure, […]
ReadmoreDraft statewide housing targets for Victoria – More than 2 million new homes by 2051
Last week, the Victorian Government released their draft statewide housing targets. In an ambitious target, 2,001,000 additional dwellings are proposed to be constructed between now and 2051 across Metropolitan Melbourne – being almost double the number of existing dwellings currently constructed in Metropolitan Melbourne. The Government wants local councils to ‘unlock space for more homes […]
ReadmoreThe Montague Precinct and Fishermans Bend – Have your say on Victoria’s largest urban renewal project
The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has released the draft Montague Precinct Infrastructure Plan (PIP) and draft Development Contributions Plan (DCP) for Fishermans Bend. These documents are on public exhibition until 23 February 2024 and will have a substantial impact on landholdings across the Fishermans Bend urban renewal area. The Fishermans Bend urban renewal […]
ReadmoreThe City of Melbourne Street Network is Changing – Have your say on the Future Streets Framework
The City of Melbourne (Council) has proposed the Future Streets Framework (Framework). The Framework seeks to implement the strategic directions of the Transport Strategy 2030, which seeks to reallocate more space to people walking and cycling in the Melbourne CBD, reduce central city through-traffic and transform precincts around major transport interchanges into pedestrian thoroughfares. New […]
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