Step-by-Step: How to Write to Your MP

Writing a compelling email or letter to your elected representative is one of the most effective ways to advocate for heritage protection.

Contacting your Member of Parliament (MP) helps strengthen our collective voice in calling for stronger heritage outcomes in Victoria’s Planning Reform. By taking the time to write, you can clearly express the issues that matter to you and outline the actions you’d like your MP to take or support.

To help you get started, we’ve prepared a simple guide.

Step 1: Find Your Local MP

  1. Visit the Parliament of Victoria website: Find Your MP
  2. Enter your postcode or suburb to identify your representative.

 

Step 2: Write a Personal Email or Letter

Personalised messages have the greatest impact. Use the template below or write in your own words.

Use Our Suggested Message Template

Subject: Support for Heritage in Victoria’s Planning Reform

Dear [MP’s Name],

I am writing as a concerned member of your electorate to urge you to support the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)’s recommendations for integrating heritage into the Victorian Planning Provisions.

As Victoria undergoes major planning reform, we must ensure our system continues to protect the character, stories, and identity that make our communities unique. A strong heritage framework can exist alongside innovative design that responds to the needs of a growing, modern state. Please consider the following:

  1. Integrate Heritage and Housing Objectives: Planning policies should recognise that adaptive reuse of heritage buildings can contribute to housing supply while preserving sense of place.
  2. Create Clear Heritage Guidance: The State Government should clearly explain how Heritage Overlays and local heritage policies interact with Activity Centre planning provisions to provide certainty for all stakeholders.
  3. Introduce Heritage Impact Assessments: Mandatory heritage impact assessments should be required for developments affecting heritage places to ensure cultural values are properly considered.
  4. Restore Community Input: Notice and review rights must be preserved for developments in or near Heritage Overlay areas to uphold community involvement in heritage matters.
  5. Strengthen Environmental Protections: Tree protections should require retention of mature trees unless proven unfeasible, acknowledging their vital role in climate resilience.
  6. Empower Local Decision-Making: Local councils should play a central role in efficacious planning decision-making to ensure outcomes reflect local needs and identity.
  7. Establish Dedicated Heritage Expertise: A dedicated heritage unit within the Department of Transport and Planning should be established to embed heritage expertise across all planning reforms.

Please support a planning system that respects our past while planning boldly for our future.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Suburb or Postcode]

 

Step 3: Continue to Spread the Word

  • Encourage friends, neighbours, and local groups to write as well.
  • Share your message on social media and tag your MP.