Plan2Place Consulting provided advice on the most appropriate process and mechanisms to facilitate a land swap of a car parking area, easement and commercial zoned land to Brimbank City Council. The land swap aimed to meet community and economic objectives consistent with Council’s structure plan for the activity centre.

Using the principles set out in the Victorian Government Land Use Policy Guidelines (2017), a Benefits and Costs Assessment was prepared to ensure rigour around the process and provide confidence to Councillors. A range of different development options for the land were considered. Other considerations such as existing leases, public land use and maximised benefits to public land, community groups and other users have also been assessed.

Plan2Place Consulting advice and services included:

• • Project management

• • Assessment of the strategic basis and relationships to earlier strategic planning work for the area

• • Advice on local government processes

• • Net community benefit issues, working in conjunction with economists assessing the costs and benefits of the potential land exchange

• • A future planning scheme amendment and application processes.

Advice on governance ensured that the process for a land swap was transparent and that there was confidence in consultant recommendations and Council decision making. This ensured a more positive community and successfully managed landowner expectations of the potential land exchange process.