The Property Council of Australia (PCA) has welcomed a review of the Victorian planning system, claiming reform is necessary if Australian houses are to be developed effectively in the current economic climate.
It argued that slowing economic activity, increased population and the need for new investment means a number of challenges are facing property development in the state.
Jennifer Cunich, executive director of PCA Victoria, said the state government has a responsibility to consider the state as an entire entity when making plans to encourage growth.
"Increasingly, there is a significant mismatch between government, industry and community expectations of the consistency and outcomes of the planning process," said Ms Cunich.
She noted that the property sector is still Victoria's biggest industry, indicating its importance to the overall economy.
Victoria is Australia's most densely-populated state, with almost 75 per cent of its electorate situated in Melbourne, making property development especially important for its residents.
Posted by Steve Douglas