Privatised Communities: the use of owners corporations in master planned estates in Melbourne

Abstract

This paper contributes to the growing body of work on master planned estates in Australia by addressing the issue of the privatisation of assets and facilities, which in more conventional residential developments are in the public realm, owned and managed by local councils or other public bodies. The paper addresses the trend to place assets presented as lifestyle features, such as community and recreational facilities, open space or landscaping features, in a form of collective private ownership, known in Victoria as owners corporations. The provision of these facilities and assets for residents, however, has a number of implications relating to exclusivity, separation from the wider community, and potential conflicts within the master planned community itself. These issues are examined with reference to data gathered through an investigation of recently established master planned communities in the growth areas of Melbourne.

Keywords:

• Master planned estates
• privatisation
• Melbourne
• owners corporations

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the research and editorial assistance of Sheree Cartwright. Robin Goodman also wishes to acknowledge the support of the Centre for Pubic Policy, University of Melbourne, where she was a Visiting Fellow in July–December 2007, whilst undertaking the initial investigations for this research.

Notes

1. Known in Victoria as Section 173 agreements from the section in the Planning and Environment Act 1987 which authorises them.