Strategic extractive resource areas and the existing planning system

Victoria's population is growing and annual demand for raw extractive resources for construction is estimated to double to almost 88 million tonnes by 2050. Over this period, current sources of rock, gravel and sand are also forecast to reach their limits.

These projections highlight the need to secure current and future supply areas, especially those close to Melbourne, regional centres and major infrastructure projects. It is vital to ensure that high-quality extractive resources continue to be available to support the construction of public infrastructure, affordable housing and private sector development.

Land use planning plays an important role in securing future extractive supply. The department, in consultation with the joint government-industry Extractive Industries Taskforce, commissioned a study to identify ways in which Victoria's planning system could be used to secure strategically important extractive resource areas, taking account of environmental and social factors and access to transport networks.

The study, Strategic Extractive Resource Areas: Victoria's Existing Planning System, identifies a range of instruments in the current planning system that could be used to secure important extractive resource areas at both the strategic and planning policy levels.

Prepared by Jacobs Consulting Group, the study is an independent piece of work to inform government, the community and industry stakeholders.

Page last updated: 12 Apr 2024