Planning powers for the Tooronga Village site have been handed back to the City of Boroondara, Planning Minister Matthew Guy has announced.

“Five years ago the Labor State Government took planning powers off council. Now the Victorian Coalition Government is giving planning powers back to the local community,” Mr Guy said.

“I am pleased to be giving the people of Boroondara a say on planning issues at Tooronga Village again.

“The City of Boroondara has raised this issue with me recently and after giving it serious consideration, it is best to transfer planning control back to the council.

“Residents of Glen Iris, Hawthorn East and Camberwell can now rest assured their local council has responsibility for decisions on the site,” Mr Guy said.

The 10-hectare site has already had 297 apartments completed, with permits for 166 more issued. The planning controls for the site allow for a total of 785 dwellings.

The Baillieu Government has a policy of giving planning powers back to local councils wherever possible.

Last year Mr Guy also handed back planning powers for the Waterfront Place precinct at Port Melbourne to the City of Port Phillip.