‘Despot’ or housing saviour? Chris Bishop to gain power to overrule councils

‘Despot’ or housing saviour? Chris Bishop to gain power to overrule councils

The minister will soon have power to overrule local council planning decisions. Will that help fuel growth, or is it an attack on democracy?

More anger over takeover | Brimbank & North West

Cairnlea locals are in an uproar over a decision which allows the planning minister to override Brimbank council’s authority for all planning approvals for Development Victoria’s proposed development in Cairnlea. Residents met on Wednesday, June 18, to outline a list of demands to council as well as state and federal governments – the main one calling for the immediate withdrawal of amendment C241brim. C241brim was approved as a change to the Br…

Govt overreach removes power from local councils – Labour

Ministers will now be able to override the decisions of councils and locally elected officials. “Chris Bishop has taken National’s general disdain for local councils up a notch and has assigned himself the role of Chief Council Despot,” Labour local government spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. “Councils are elected by the people they serve and know their regions and cities best. Chris Bishop deciding that plans made by local communities are over…

Housing Minister given power to override local councils on planning decisions

'The days of letting councils decide that growth shouldn’t happen at all are over', says Chris Bishop