Planning Appeals: Are Third Party Rights Legitimate? The Case Study of Victoria, Australia

One of the contemporary debates in urban policy is the question of public participation in planning processes. In some jurisdictions, demands for greater public participation have impacted planning processes through a widening of appeal rights to allow third party appeals. However, in many jurisdictions both in Australia and overseas third party appeals are still not recognised or permitted only in very limited circumstances. This article explores the debate surrounding third party appeals and, in the context of a case study of Victoria, examines the arguments for and against a widening of planning appeal rights.