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Decisions about the future use of government land must be made carefully to ensure public value is maximised.

Public value is achieved when land use decisions:

  • deliver improved social, environmental, economic and intergenerational benefits to the Victorian community
  • support community and stakeholder needs
  • can be efficiently delivered

The strategic public value triangle

When we provide advice to government on land use, we consider three elements of the public value triangle, which are:

  • legitimacy and support
  • operational capacity
  • public value impacts

We use these factors to assess different land use options.

Legitimacy and support

We consider how land use options address needs at various levels including:

  • portfolio
  • whole-of-government, and
  • local

We also consider the level of stakeholder support.

Operational capacity

We assess the financial and operational impacts of land use options. This includes the risks, resources and capabilities required for delivery.

Public value indicators

Public value impact indicators are outlined in the Victorian Government Land Use Policy and Guidelines. These prompt us to consider the likely social, economic and environmental (public value) outcomes of different land uses.

Intergenerational

We consider the impact of land use decisions on both current and future generations. We assess intergenerational impacts for timeframes of 10, 30 and 50 years.

Environmental

We consider the environmental benefits and potential negative impacts that government land uses may have, including on:

  • resource efficiency and sustainability
  • emissions and waste
  • ecosystems, biodiversity and food security
  • climate change mitigation and adaptation activities

Social

We take into account a range of social factors impacted by how land is used by government, including:

  • improve access to health, safety and wellbeing
  • provide appropriate housing, education, transport, recreation and open space
  • enhance local amenities and social inclusion

Economic

When considering the economic impacts of government land use assess:

  • jobs created and access to employment
  • productivity and transport network efficiency
  • business and industry attractiveness

Principles guiding value-focused advice

The principles we follow involve:

  • A focus on delivering positive social, environmental and economic benefits while offering value for money to government.
  • Balancing intergenerational equity impacts of land use decisions (out to 2050) against short-term benefits. This ensures long-term community and government needs are considered.
  • Land use decisions should reflect a whole-of-government perspective. This means we think about the use of government land with not only the objectives of the landholding agency in mind, but also the broader objectives of other agencies and government as a whole.
  • Engaging and collaborating across government and with business and industry, including not-for-profits and the community where appropriate.

Page last updated: 11/07/23