Statutory Planning in Victoria

This comprehensive book strips away much of the complexity and offers an insight into the world of planning law. In doing so it will enable citizens and businesses – and those advising them – to better understand the system that controls the use and development of land in Victoria. Occasionally I am asked by those interested in understanding Victoria’s statutory planning system: Where is the best place to start? For this purpose legislation can be intimidating, planning schemes can be confusing and commentaries can be selective. What is needed for this purpose is a comprehensive and readable work, which covers the whole system. This is such a work. One of the outstanding features of the book is the way the authors have explained the evolution of Victoria’s planning system. The authors are experienced academics, with a long history of university research and teaching. But they have also had hands-on experience by sitting as tribunal members and engaging in the cut and thrust of everyday planning decision-making. This special combination of theory and practice shows up, time and again, in this work. It means that the book will be suitable for the student, the practitioner and the ordinary citizen.

Stuart Morris, President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

[The book] provides a hearty and approachable overview of statutory planning (a term which the authors note is normally used to refer to the formulation and administration of controls on the use and development of land) in Victoria. It is evident to the reader that the authors have had wide experience in the field. The book provides a good balance of history and current practice. Various cases are referred to as examples, but these are not presented in a burdensome manner.

Australasian Journal of Environmental Management Vol 14, December 2007