Time is money and the current existing planning system had become a hostage to excessive complexity that is ultimately paid for by the community in excessive costs and charges.

Executive Director of the UDIA (VIC), Tony De Domenico said, "The introduction of the new zones, which released some 2700 hectares of land across Victoria for industrial and commercial development, will spark development and investment interest in Victoria.

"The Victorian development industry which directly employs around 310,000 full time employees, contributes around 12 per cent of the state's gross domestic product and $4.6 billion in taxes to all tiers of government, is looking to create urgently needed jobs and requires investment and projects in the pipeline."

Mr De Domenico said the consolidation of five existing business zones into two commercial zones at the start of the new financial year will remove the hidden tax on the community of excessive and confusing regulation.

"Unlocking the current complex, expensive and non productive planning regime of commercial and industrial zones across Victoria, which has added great cost to doing business in Victoria through delays, should not be under rated in relation to its economic benefits.

"The implementation of the two new zones will provide a far more structured certain guide to investors and companies looking to expand commercial and industrial activities within Victoria.

"With Victoria's population growing at over 90,000 annually and the pressure to supply housing increasing on the fringe, there is also pressure to build employment centres into growth areas such the Cities of Wyndham, Whittlesea, Hume, Casey and regional areas such as Geelong and Ballarat to take pressure of Melbourne's transport infrastructure and road network.

"The planning reforms on commercial and industrial zones announced today will assist."

Mr De Domenico said the simplification and commonsense approach to the commercial and industrial zoning will boost the opportunities for the Victorian Government, local government and the development industry to work in a cohesive and coordinated manner to maximise the economic and social outcomes for all Victorians in urban, regional and country areas.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, UDIA (VIC) - Mobile: 0417 329 201