The focus of this paper is on the politics and significance of Plan Melbourne, with significance being most closely assessed in terms of the Plan’s ability to influence housing outcomes. The paper proceeds from my housing and governance research that led to Australia’s Unintended Cities.

An increased emphasis on consolidated city policies has heightened development pressure on existing urban areas. This has occurred alongside increased resident resistance to development. This paper examines in detail the determinations of decision makers in the development assessment process.

The research involved examining indicators of sustainability from four case study subdivisions that were marketed as ‘green’, ‘eco’ or ‘sustainable’ or similar. It found a clear gap between the way the subdivision has been designed and the energy efficiency of the houses.

However, the planning drive towards medium density housing (MDH) has triggered widespread local resistance. This has led to new scrutiny of mechanisms for public participation in planning and efficiency of third party objection and appeal rights (TPOAR). This paper focuses on the latter.

This paper reports on a study of 250 homes rebuilt after the 2003 Canberra bushfires. It argues the planning regulations that govern building envelopes do not take into consideration the landscape impact of redevelopment in garden suburbs, and that planning controls should consider sanctioning landscape spaces on residential blocks subject to redevelopment.