Comparative Analysis of Local Environment Planning in Sydney and Planning Scheme in Melbourne

Running head: URBAN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, SYSTEMS AND PRACTICE
Urban Planning Principles, Systems and Practice
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2URBAN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, SYSTEMS AND PRACTICE
Executive Summary
The primary focus of this Comparative report incorporates unpacking, reviewing and
comparing Local Environment Planning of Sydney in 2012 as well as the Planning Scheme in
Melbourne. This report demonstrates the ways in which controls of land use can be put to use
for the purpose of implementation of state as well as local environmental policies of planning
in two of the cities located in the competing states like New South Wales as well as Victoria
situated in Australia.

3URBAN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, SYSTEMS AND PRACTICE
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
1. Understanding the planning as well as assessment systems of NSW and Victoria...............3
2. NSW NEPS versus Planning schemes of VIC.......................................................................5
3. Overview of the Statistical Facts............................................................................................5
Part 2..........................................................................................................................................7
Comparative Analysis................................................................................................................7
A. Aims and Objective...........................................................................................................7
B. Layout and length of the structure...................................................................................11
C. Categorisation of Land Usage (viz. zoning and map works)...........................................12
D. Primary policy issues that have been addressed..............................................................14
(i) Housing........................................................................................................................14
(ii) Sustainable Growth.....................................................................................................15
(iii) Transport....................................................................................................................16
(iv) Heritage as well as cultural conservation...................................................................16
E. development control mechanism.....................................................................................17
F. Relationship with external state policies..........................................................................18
Conclusion................................................................................................................................19
Reference List..........................................................................................................................20

4URBAN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, SYSTEMS AND PRACTICE
Part 1: Introduction
1. Understanding the planning as well as assessment systems of NSW and Victoria
In NSW, nine different pathways of planning approval are there. The stature of
development will determine which assessment pathway in particular should be taken and are
actually applicable.
Depending up on pattern of development as well as the scope of the building project, various
small home renovations project, for instance erection of garden shed or carport hardly need
approval of building plan.
Some straightforward residential, industrial or commercial projects of low impact
which actually requires an approval may get sanctioned by passing through a fast track
process of approval called complying development (Australia and Australia 2015). In case if
specific standards and some land requirements are met in the application, then a certificate of
complying development is easily obtainable form the respective council or from any
accredited certifying authority and there is absolutely no need of fully developed application.
In New South Wales, there is a hierarchy in the development rules, beginning from
legislation and gradually moving on to various plans, policies guidelines as well as codes.

5URBAN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, SYSTEMS AND PRACTICE
Figure 1: The levels of Development rules in New South Wales
(Source:
https://www.woollahra.nsw.gov.au/building_and_development/developme
nt_rules/hierarchy_of_development_rules)
However, Bartel, McFarland and Hearfield (2014), opines that there are still
some ambiguities in the process of accreditation. Emphasizing on the
Environmental Planning as well as Assessment Act of 1979 would make
things clear. This is the basic plan that controls land usage planning.
The above mentioned act usually perform like a single instrument
controlling vessel for every municipality. The planning scheme is the first
phase of planning control and demarcates the way in which the land
might be utilised, developed, conserved or at best protected. At the
completion of the planning phase, confirmatory documentation is received
by then applying entity.

6URBAN PLANNING PRINCIPLES, SYSTEMS AND PRACTICE
Along with planning scheme, this act moreover account for the VPP
(Victorian Provisions for planning) which is a document template
highlighting the state provisions for the planning schemes. As informed by
Bhattacharya, Oppenheim and Stern (2015), this act provides the framework of the
procedures required to prepare and amend VPP as well as planning
schemes. It also helps in settling disputes, enforcing compliance and other
administrative procedures.
2. NSW NEPS versus Planning schemes of VIC
The Local Environment Plan of the New South Wales is a stable
document which specifies the control as well as the guidelines of
development within the council’s area. Chen and Manley (2014), informs that this
determines what development can take place and where it can be
developed including what sort of development activities should take place
on the land. Both written instrument as well as mas are incorporative of
the LEPS. Doloi (2012), provides that these two must be perceived in
combination and these two in unison provides a complete understanding
of the zoning or the building controls across the particular area or one
distinct property.
The task of supplementing LEPs is performed by the DCPs which
provides a more described planning control for the concerned area. As per
the ideas of Franks (2012), the VPS (Planning Scheme of Victoria) is one
statutory documentation that sets out the objectives, provisions, as well