Victorian Urban Development Authority (trading as VicUrban)

Full description

The Victorian Urban Development Authority (trading as VicUrban) was established on 16 June 2003 under the Victorian Urban Development Authority Act 2003 as a body corporate operating on a commercial basis limited by ministerial power to invoke public interest provisions. It was the successor in law to the Urban and Regional Land Corporation (VA 5295) and the Docklands Authority (VA 5498).

The main purpose of VicUrban was to carry out urban development, develop the Docklands area, undertake declared projects, and assist in the implementation of government urban development policies and strategies.

Its functions under the Act consisted of the following:

• to purchase, consolidate, take on, transfer or otherwise acquire land in metropolitan and regional areas for development for urban purposes
• to carry out development of land alone or in partnership or to enter into arrangements or agreements for the development of land
• to develop land in Victoria for residential and other urban purposes to provide a competitive market for land in Victoria
• to promote best practice in urban and community design and development, having regard to links to transport services and innovations in sustainable development
• to assist in the implementation of government urban development policies and strategies
• to contribute to improvements in housing affordability in Victoria
• to provide consultancy services in relation to the development of land whether within or outside Victoria or outside Australia
• to undertake and manage declared projects on behalf of the Crown
• any other functions conferred on the Authority by the Act; and
• the functions conferred on the Authority by the Docklands Act 1991 and any functions conferred on the Authority by any other Act.

VicUrban was managed by a board and chief executive officer who could also be a director, but not chairman. Under Section 68 of the Act the board was to report to the Minister or the Treasurer as required. From the time of its establishment until 14 August 2007, VicUrban was included as a statutory body in the Department of Infrastructure (VA 3971) and reported to the Minister for Major Projects. On 14 August 2007 it was transferred to the new Department of Planning and Community Development (VA 4838) and reported to the Minister for Planning.

Part of the responsibility for the Docklands area passed to the City of Melbourne when on 9 August 2006 the City of Melbourne voted to begin the transfer process of the municipal authority from VicUrban to the City of Melbourne.

In addition to the Australia's largest waterfront development at Docklands, VicUrban managed significant metropolitan projects in Dandenong, Geelong, Footscray and Ringwood, and the development of new residential communities in Epping North (Aurora), Officer, Bonbeach, Cairnlea, Cheltenham, Highett, Jacksons Hill, Lancaster Gate, Lynbrook, Tenterfield, the Boardwalk in Point Cook, Valley Lake and Riverwalk. In regional areas projects included new estates in Hamilton, Swan Hill and Shepparton.

The Victorian Urban Development Authority Amendment (Urban Renewal Authority Victoria) Act 2011, which received assent on 5 July 2011, retitled the Act Urban Renewal Authority Act 2003. The amendments abolished VicUrban and established the Urban Renewal Authority Victoria (VA 5005) as its successor in law. The new authority's functions and governance structure were amended and a new Board appointed.