Victorian planning changes

Stripping local communities of a say in planning decisions has denied residents the "right to participate in public life", according to a former president of Liberty Victoria. Brian Walters, SC, now president of Protectors of Public Lands Victoria, will today address a protest on the steps of Parliament involving groups opposed to the Government's recent planning policies.

Mr Walters said the Government's planning changes — which include taking over planning control for some social housing and independent school building projects with no public notification or review — was an attack on the democratic rights of residents. "The right to participate in public life is foundational to a functioning democracy," he said.