After years of stymied development and restrictions in key Lancefield growth areas, landholders are now getting a fairer hearing for their predicament than ever before, as the state election approaches.
They are asking for removal of Development Plan Overlay Schedule 24 that has hindered land freedom and development for 27 landholders across three areas.
The overlay requires all landholders in an area to agree on a single development plan before anyone can build. Landholders are also expected to pay for the plan, any reports required, and a myriad of other extras.
Residents have now heard from Liberal and Labor candidates for Macedon, and both have supported DPO24’s removal, however, residents are calling for certainty.
Earlier this month the Liberal Nationals announced they would scrap DPO24 if elected this November. Liberal candidate for Macedon Kate Kendall said the issue had “dragged on too long for Lancefield locals”.
Last week, Labor candidate for Macedon Annette Death told the Express she was advocating for DPO24’s removal and had arranged a meeting between Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny and the council.
“I support the removal of the DPO24 planning overlay from Lancefield. I know this issue well and as mayor I spoke out against the overlay,” she said.
“If elected, I will advocate for the overlay to be removed and make it easier for families. I would also want to continue talking directly with affected landowners, council and the local community to make sure we get the outcome right for Lancefield.”
The overlay was gazetted in 2020. Macedon Ranges Shire Council introduced it to create coordinated development and has since recognised its failure. Since 2023, MRSC has written to Minister Kilkenny three times to remove it without success, most recently this year.
Macedon Ranges mayor, Cr Cassy Borthwick, said the council had consistently sought removal of DPO24 and the Victorian Government now had an opportunity to provide certainty.
“Residents and landowners have waited long enough,” she said.
“The Victorian Government now has an opportunity to provide the certainty that the Lancefield community and council have been seeking, by removing the DPO.”
Impacted Lancefield resident Joel Fitzgerald said landholders welcomed recent announcements on the matter and echoed THe mayor’s sentiment. He said landowners were exhausted and wanted a resolution.
“There is a broad spectrum of people across different stages of life in the affected land areas but we’re unified on one point: everyone is completely paralysed by DPO24,” he said.
“The community now watches closely to see who has the will and leadership capacity to drive this to a point of resolution. “Removal ‘in time’ or removal with ‘strings attached’ will not restore community trust and will only intensify this charged issue.”
Mayor Borthwick said the council was ready to work with any elected government on practical planning solutions that remove the barrier and provide certainty for affected landholders.