The Age

Jason Dowling
June 16, 2010 - 3:00AM

“DEVELOPERS are quietly seeking approval for massive and often contentious developments from the state government and heritage authorities months before applications are formally lodged and the public is notified.

The hidden meetings, that can include well-connected lobbyists, has led to calls for the secret meetings to be urgently regulated.

An email shows the head of Heritage Victoria met the developers behind the controversial $260 million redevelopment of the Windsor in December 2008, eight months before a heritage permit application was lodged. The email indicated that the project could ''have legs''.

The email was sent on December 19 2008 from the executive director of Heritage Victoria. It was obtained by The Age under Freedom of Information, with the recipient of the email deleted.

''They were looking for a view as to whether it would have legs from a heritage perspective. I think it could, but there is a significant history of opposition to redevelopment at the Windsor and a lot of very interested parties in the building over the road,'' the email said.

''Since the development is big enough to require the minister's approval of a planning permit, I thought it would be wise for them to make a presentation to him early in the new year.''

It goes on to ask that a meeting be organised with the Planning Minister, Justin Madden.......

......Mr Madden has refused to release the notes of that meeting or say who attended or where it was held.

Last month, Mr Madden told a parliamentary committee he often met developers and other groups prior to planning permit applications.......”

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/secret-meetings-raise-concerns-20100615-yd9o.html