THE Victorian Government last week announced that builders will no longer need to apply for unnecessary planning permits to build boundary walls on new homes, as part of reforms to planning and building controls.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy said that under the new reformed building standards, boundary walls of new homes or extensions will have further setbacks and greater heights allowed without the need for a permit.

VICTORIAN Premier Denis Napthine and Ports Minister David Hodgett last week announced the successful contractor for the extensive civil works package that will be undertaken within the 175-hectare Webb Dock Precinct at the Port of Melbourne.

As part of the $1.6 billion Port Capacity Project, the civil works contract will deliver roads and services 'backbone' infrastructure to enable the fast-tracking of additional container and automotive capacity for Victoria.

THE New South Wales Government will conduct further consultation before resuming the debate on the Planning Bill 2013 next year, following its decision to reject a number of amendments to the proposed legislation that it said were the result of 'two and a half days of legislative vandalism'.

"The Liberals and Nationals State Government promised to empower local communities, remove corruption and create jobs, but Labor and cross bench MPs have put all that at risk," Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard said last week.

THE New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure last week announced that feedback is being sought on updated planning controls that reflect the fact that the Port of Newcastle is transitioning to a private long-term lease operation.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure Acting Director-General Richard Pearson said the changes would ensure there was a full merit-based assessment for significant projects such as new berths and large-scale dredging.

NEW South Wales Planning and Infrastructure Minister Brad Hazzard last week welcomed the release of a report by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) that aims to help ensure local infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and parks, is provided efficiently.

Mr Hazzard said that public submissions will now be sought on the draft report, which looks at infrastructure benchmark costs for over 60 key items ranging from roads and footpaths to libraries and swimming pools, before a final report is released in March 2014.

THE Queensland Government has unveiled landmark reforms that aim to 'revolutionise the way local councils, the development and construction industry and the State work together to make the best planning decisions for all Queenslanders.'

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney announced Queensland's new State Planning Policy at an Urban Development Institute Association luncheon in Brisbane last week.

THE Tasmanian Government last week announced the release of the Macquarie Point community consultation report, which provides an outline of the qualities and distinguishing characteristics viewed as most important by the community in any future site development.

Infrastructure Minister David O'Byrne said the 'Shared Vision – Consultation Report' demonstrates the significant of the project, with more than 1,200 community members taking the 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to provide feedback and help shape Hobart's economic, social and cultural growth.

WITH almost 3,000 South Australians having already taken the opportunity to provide feedback on the state's first Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan, the government last week announced the consultation period will be extended by seven weeks.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis said that following the enormous response, the ability for South Australians to provide online, phone and posted feedback would continue until Friday, 17 January 2014.

THE Northern Territory Government last week announced that it is set to undertake a Territory-wide planning study to prioritise and develop vital infrastructure investment in regional areas to help support resource-related economic development.

Transport Minister Peter Styles said the Territory was open for business and was committed to building a prosperous economy that would continue to secure local and national infrastructure investment.

THE Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) last week released its first comparative study of spatial changes in population, jobs and commuting patterns within Australia's largest cities, with a focus on recent patterns of change in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth between 2001 and 2011.

The report, which also includes an overview of change in other capital cities and regional cities, identifies some common trends and differences across the cities, and investigates the extent to which these recent spatial changes match up to the stated strategic planning goals for the four largest cities.