Proceeds from the sale of surplus government land are reinvested into important new infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and public transport.
This has been achieved by the introduction a suite of polices relating to the purchase and retention of land and management of land transactions.
The relevant polices are detailed below:
Surplus government land
The Victorian Government Landholding Policy and Guidelines outlines the circumstances in which government agencies may purchase and retain land and ensures consistent decision making across Government in the management of its land portfolios. The Landholding Policy applies to the entire Victorian Public Sector.
The Landholding Policy and Guidelines define land as being ‘surplus’ if it no longer contributes to an agency’s current or future service delivery needs.
Before being listed for public sale, surplus land is offered through a ‘first right of refusal’ process to all other Victorian Government departments and agencies as well as to local government and the Commonwealth Government. This process allows for surplus government land to be considered for community use, or for an alternative public service need, before it is released for sale on the open market.
Transacting surplus government land
The Victorian Government Land Transactions Policy establishes strict requirements for agencies to adhere to when selling, acquiring or leasing land to ensure that land transactions are conducted consistently and in accordance with the highest standards of probity, relevant legislation and Victorian Government Policy.
Land transactions with or between government agencies are conducted on the basis of valuations undertaken by the Valuer-General Victoria.
Land sales to the public are conducted through an open and competitive process (e.g. public auction or tender) with the reserve price being determined by the Valuer-General Victoria.
All sale transactions with a value of $1,000,000 or more (excluding GST) must be reviewed by the Victorian Government Land Monitor who provides government with an assurance of integrity, impartiality and accountability in land transactions.
Transacting surplus Crown land
The Department of Transport and Planning, Land and Property, Planning and Land Services undertakes all Crown land sales, with the exception of Crown land sites with a value of less than $250,000, which may be undertaken by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Before Crown land is transacted, a strategic Crown land assessment must be undertaken by DEECA in accordance with the Victorian Government Strategic Crown Land Assessment Policy and Guidelines. A strategic Crown land assessment enables timely and consistent assessment of Native Title rights and the identification and protection of public land values inherent in Crown land.
Government land use
The Victorian Government Land Use Policy provides a framework that enables a strategic, whole-of-government approach to government land use decision making, in order to maximise public value for Victorian communities.
The Policy supports and supplements other government land policies, provides overarching direction for government land use and articulates Land Use Victoria’s role in promoting a whole of government, public value approach.
Past, present and future government land sales
The Department of Transport and Planning provides a listing of surplus government land sales that are being or have been transacted by Victorian Government Departments under the three categories below.
General enquiries
Land and Property
Transport Property
Planning and Land Services
Department of Transport and Planning
1 Spring Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Email: governmentlandsales@transport.vic.gov.au
More information
Land currently for sale(opens in a new window)
Land being prepared for future sale(opens in a new window)
Recent sales history(opens in a new window)
Land sales FAQ's(opens in a new window)
Updated