By Callum Ludwig
The Victorian Government has refined and finalised its housing targets for the 79 Councils across the state.
A goal of 2.24 million new homes added to the housing stock by 2051 was set in June 2024 and the state government has been consulting with the 79 councils since to readjust targets where needed.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the status quo won’t cut it, there is only one way out of the housing crisis – build our way out.
“We want more homes for young people and workers close to jobs, transport, and services – so they can live where they want, near the things they need and the people they love,” she said.
“Fearmongering politicians claimed we wouldn’t consult or make changes that reflect the community’s wishes. Here is the evidence that we have – and we will.”
The Outer East councils of Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah and Cardinia have all seen reductions to their targets:
Yarra Ranges Council’s target has reduced from 28,000 to 25,000 new homes.
Knox City Councils target has reduced from 47,000 to 43,000 new homes.
Maroondah City Council has been given a target of 39,500 new homes, down from 43,000.
Cardinia Shire Council’s target has reduced from 36,000 to 30,000 new homes, with 21,000 of those to be delivered in greenfield areas.
Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures at Yarra Ranges Council Kath McClusky said their staff have met with representatives from the Department of Transport and Planning to discuss the State Government’s housing targets as part of discussions on Plan for Victoria, and how their endorsed Housing Strategy can help to meet these goals.
“We are reviewing the strategy in light of the revised targets and other State government changes to housing planning scheme provisions, which were released after the strategy was finalised,” she said.
“Amendments have been issued by the State Government since then, including the latest on 6 March, which we are working through,”
“We will work further with the State Government, and our community, to achieve our mutual goals for the provision of housing in Yarra Ranges.”
Maroondah’s suburb of Ringwood has been designated as one of 10 Activity Centres around the state which have been partiuclaly targeted for housing close to jobs, transport and services. Activity centres have a ‘core’ close to the commercial precinct and a ‘catchment’ that is walkable and favours lower-rise development. According to the government, Ringwood’s maximum height for the fast-tracked ‘deemed to comply’ process is 20 storeys following consultation with Maroondah City Council.
Mayor of Maroondah Kylie Spears said they welcome the revised masterplans for the Pilot Activity Centres, including Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre (RMAC).
“We are particularly pleased to see the core boundary of the RMAC has not changed, and our advocacy has seen the scope of the walkable catchment scaled back and the building
heights reduced, providing a gradual decrease in height as you move further away from
the RMAC,” she said.
“Having noted these improvements, we are still concerned that some of the identified walkable catchments are in areas that are not easily accessible by foot,”
“Also, some areas in and around our identified heritage buildings and precincts still have an allowance for four to six-storey buildings which will be at odds with these rare and historic areas.”
Reduced catchment boundaries closer to the core, rules to support tree planting on larger sites and stronger controls to protect sunlight and prevent overshadowing are also among the Government’s changes.
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Jack Kowarzik said they understand that the State Government has undertaken a thorough analysis to reach the final housing target of 30,000 for Cardinia Shire, which includes their total growth projection, and look forward to the State Government sharing further information regarding this analysis.
“In order to accommodate the housing targets, we need funding and support to deliver essential infrastructure and services to meet the needs of our growing communities,” he said.
“We need investment in infrastructure to keep up with demand for new roads, parks, sporting facilities and other amenities, additional investment and support is needed to ensure new and existing residents have the same quality of life as people in more established local government areas,”
“Council will need to review the capacity of our existing strategic policies, services and infrastructure to determine how the proposed population growth can be accommodated, and we would welcome appropriate funding and planning regulations to ensure implementation of the proposed housing targets.”
Cardinia Shire Council is the only Council in the outer east with designated greenfield areas sectioned for housing, which are former rural areas now allocated for housing, typically detached housing.
Knox Mayor Lisa Cooper said the Plan for Victoria misses the opportunity for the government to increase social and affordable housing.
“The state government’s revised housing target of 43,000 more dwellings in Knox by 2051 (reduced by 8.5 per cent) is still 68 per cent more dwellings than we have now, nearly three times the projected demand under the government’s own population and dwelling projections,” she said.
“Any plans for substantial housing growth must be matched with increased funding for infrastructure and services and an improved development contributions system for established areas to support growing populations, which unfortunately the government’s plan hasn’t resolved,”
“Housing growth should be planned with Council in a sustainable way that considers local constraints and impacts on current and future residents. Without this approach, Melbourne’s renowned liveability is at risk. Council will need to delay a review of our own housing strategy until the implications of the government’s plan, new housing targets and raft of planning reforms are fully understood.”
The State Government has also expressed a willingness to force councils to deliver housing stock within the targets by the deadline, with a declaration to be included in the upcoming Plan for Victoria that will require councils to change planning schemes to provide more housing capacity and for the state government to intervene if not.
“There are many councils who have done the right thing and made life better and more affordable for locals,” Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said.
“To the councils who used to block and who are now ready to build, I say to them: let’s talk.”
The Victorian Government will have the power to unlock space for housing, including through zoning while the Minister for Planning also still has powers to intervene or fast-track developments.
