Integrated planning for healthy communities: Does Victorian state legislation promote it?

There is increasing Australian and international interest in integrated planning that promotes health and wellbeing. Melbourne is experiencing unprecedented rapid population growth, especially in the outer suburban Growth Areas to the north and west. This is creating public health challenges associated with low-density, single land-use, car-dependent suburban developments. Because of the state government's leadership role in the planning system, integrated planning across state policy sectors is critical for creating healthy communities. This paper examines the extent to which key Victorian legislation supports integrated planning that promotes health. It involves a content analysis of three statutory documents: the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the Transport Integration Act 2010, and the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. These documents are assessed against criteria that reflect best-practice principles for integrated planning for health. While the Acts contain some supportive features, they also present significant barriers to integrated planning that promotes health. Recommended changes to the legislation are outlined, to assist policymakers to create healthy communities.