The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) says the state’s councils stand ready to support their current and future communities through the period of growth required to address the current housing crisis.
In a statement, the Association said it understands the need for aspirational targets and looks forward to working closely with the State Government “to ensure we shape our cities and places to be more human-centered and connected to enable communities to thrive”.
MAV’s comments followed the Victorian Government’s announcement yesterday that it was kicking off the next stage of local government consultation on draft housing capacity targets tailored for every local government area (LGA) in the state.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny joined City of Kingston Mayor, Jenna Davey-Burns to announce the draft targets for each LGA – with final targets to be released by the end of this year.
Victoria has the largest annual population growth of all Australian states, and it needs more than two million additional homes by the 2050s. But where these homes go matters, the Premier said.
“To give industry the confidence they need to get on and build, we need Government and all councils working towards the same goal: more homes for Victorians – in the right places,” said Premier Allan.
Minister Kilkenny said the draft council housing targets were largely based on access to the jobs, transport and services Victorians need.
By 2051, the Boroondara LGA is proposed to accommodate 67,000 new homes – which would represent a significant increase in new dwelling approvals against its recent average. The Kingston LGA is proposed to accommodate 59,000 new homes – contributing to a pattern of growth along the Suburban Rail Loop corridor.
By reaching their targets, many council areas across inner and middle Melbourne would double their number of new dwellings every year – helping deliver the Housing Statement goal of 70% of new homes going in established areas and 30 per cent in outer-suburban growth areas.
“We want to work in partnership with councils to build more homes in the areas where people want to live – close to the people they love and the things they love to do,” said Minister Kilkenny.
In regional cities and rural areas, the targets will also help deliver more new homes in cities and towns to boost key worker and affordable housing, she said.
The City of Greater Geelong is proposed to accommodate 139,800 new homes by 2051.
“Victoria’s councils have the powers to unlock space for more homes by proposing changes to local planning rules. The Government will consult closely with councils to harness their local knowledge, with councils to report back on the draft target and the local changes they propose,” the Government said in a statement.
“While the Labor Government has invested billions of dollars in level crossing removals, public transport upgrades, new schools and hospitals – and is getting on with the Suburban Rail Loop – it also wants to hear from councils about the continued infrastructure support that communities need to grow sustainably.”
MAV President, Councillor David Clark said the sector welcomed the opportunity to work with the State Government to further develop housing targets for all municipalities.
“We recognise housing targets are only meaningful if they are linked to specific areas of
development. Sustainable growth requires the associated community infrastructure to
make areas liveable and to have employment and services close by are part of the development process,” Cr Clark said.
“Across Victoria’s cities, suburbs, and regional towns a key focus must be on the quality and diversity of housing type.”
Cr Clark said councils had already acknowledged their role in addressing the housing
crisis and have been working hard to facilitate solutions.
“Many councils are continuing to re-zone land and lodge planning scheme amendments to allow the possibility of additional housing stock to be built. We seek to work with the Planning Minister to open up these pathways to providing new housing development opportunities.”
“We will also seek to work with the development industry and the State Government to
get the more than 100,000 dwellings that have already been approved by councils – but
not yet begun construction – built.
“Alongside these key partners, we’ll continue the task of stimulating development by
discussing incentives to achieve these targets, reduce other market impediments, and
standardise a robust, place-based, developer contribution system across the state to
accelerate housing development,” he said.
The draft targets for each local government area can be found here.
