Planning Minister Matthew Guy has failed to properly plan Footscray’s future and should hand control of development back to Maribyrnong council, according to critics.
Last week’s controversial approval of a 28-storey riverside high-rise project has ignited calls for Mr Guy to hand back the powers the state government has held since 2007.
Maribyrnong mayor Grant Miles said Mr Guy’s decision to announce the tower by media release before informing the council showed how little the minister cared for the views of the council and community.
Former mayors and current councillors Sarah Carter and Catherine Cumming were also scathing, with Cr Carter labelling the decision the final straw.
“It’s a slap in the face; he’s an authority unto himself,” she said. “I have no hope for the future of being able to work with the planning minister.”
Cr Cumming said the controls were handed over in good faith that the council’s views would be considered.
“It would seem over time that the power the council handed to the minister has been abused,” she said. “It’s probably time to look at requesting the controls come back to the council.”
RMIT planning expert Michael Buxton said the council should be responsible for local decision making. He said the secrecy behind the current process was disturbing.
“These decisions are being made on information and a basis that the community doesn’t know anything about,” he said.
“We don’t know why he does what he does, the reasoning of the advice he is getting.”
Mr Buxton said the politicisation of planning was unhealthy.
“The minister is making it a political process. He’s putting himself at the centre of decision- making. He’s got to get himself out of it and leave it to local councils.”
Footscray Labor MP Marsha Thomson said the latest decision highlighted the damage being wrought on Footscray without proper scrutiny.
“This is about making sure, as the community grows, it is done in a way where it is hand in hand with jobs and infrastructure.”
Mr Guy’s office did not answer questions about the issue.
