VICTORIAN Planning Minister Matthew Guy last week announced the Victorian Government has amended state planning policy to provide for future urban renewal.

According to the government, Amendment VC92 to the Victorian Planning Provisions aims to provide further direction for urban renewal projects at Fishermans Bend, E-Gate and Richmond Railway Station.

The planning scheme changes amend the State Planning Policy Framework to specifically reference Fishermans Bend, E-Gate and Richmond Railway Station as areas for mixed use urban renewal.

"This puts Fishermans Bend, E-Gate and Richmond Station in the same category as the CBD, Southbank and Docklands," Mr Guy said.

Mr Guy said the Victorian Government is providing a clear planning framework to designate the precincts as areas for major urban renewal, adding that the government is serious about advancing these proposals and that rezoning will progress as soon as possible.

The Fishermans Bend urban renewal area includes over 200 hectares of land adjacent to Southbank and Docklands. E-Gate at Docklands North aims to renew over 20 hectares of former railway yards adjacent to the CBD and Docklands, while a smaller urban renewal precinct is planned for Richmond Railway Station.

Victoria's new Urban Renewal Authority (now known as Places Victoria), which subsumed VicUrban, is expected to lead the delivery of the projects.

When establishing the Authority, Mr Guy said it has a clear mandate to deliver urban change in strategic locations, such as Fishermans Bend, E-Gate, Richmond Railway Station and the remainder of the Docklands precinct.