Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): My question is to the Minister for Planning and it relates to the Heidelberg Road corridor in my electorate. What progress has been made by Darebin Council to put in place appropriate planning controls for the north side of Heidelberg Road?

As you know, Minister, Heidelberg Road in Fairfield and Alphington straddles the two councils of Yarra and Darebin.

It used to be home to one of the most congested intersections in Melbourne—that is until the magnificent new Chandler Highway Bridge and Grange Road level crossing removal.

Heidelberg Road is also home to the Yarra Bend development that is transforming the paper mill site, and there is ongoing interest in development approvals along the corridor.

Minister, locals want to see that this area is not burdened by unfettered development—and that means a plan with carefully considered zoning and controls.

As you know, City of Yarra are doing their bit. They’ve taken the step of applying to you for interim controls while they wait for Darebin to get their act together. City of Yarra are some 18 months ahead of Darebin in giving locals the certainty that they deserve.

Minister, Darebin Council have a webpage with a timeline to track progress. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be progress to track.