The Victorian State Government’s housing statement, together with the development of the new Plan for Victoria (replacing Plan Melbourne), offer a rare opportunity to put Victoria on the right footing for a climate resilient, socially connected and economically thriving future according the Municiple Association of Victoria (MAV).
MAV Deputy President Cr Jennifer Anderson said the group was encouraged by the State’s Government’s housing statement, which highlights the need for a meaningful partnership with local government to ensure successful implementation.
She said councils stand ready to work alongside the State Government, to increase supply and ensure we are building sustainable and liveable communities.
“The levy on short-stay rental accommodation is a good start. This type of accommodation is clearly impacting on the long-term rental market and we welcome the funds being fully dedicated to social housing,” Cr Anderson said.
“Councils have led the way in addressing short stays, but a consistent, state-wide approach is critically important.”
“Addressing inclusionary zoning, land-banking, and support for councils who have affordable housing targets in their planning schemes will continue to be required in order to tackle the housing crisis.”
MAV research has dispelled any claims council planning processes are a significant factor causing the housing crisis.
“Councils facilitate massive amounts of development every year, with high levels of community input embedded in the process,” Cr Anderson explained.
“Despite claims to the contrary, MAV research clearly shows councils are not hindering housing stock growth. Planning permits for 120,000 dwellings are approved, but construction has not commenced.”
“The fact is it’s often more profitable to delay supply, so naturally that’s what some developers are doing. We need to look at how we can change the incentives at a system wide level,” Cr Anderson said.
The next steps of reforms must remember that planning is about more than housing.
The MAV wants to work in partnership with all levels of government and communities to build a ‘better Victoria’ that provides ample and diverse housing including social and affordable housing, well serviced growth, high quality urban regeneration at pace and scale, and good access to jobs and opportunities for all residents. All this needs to occur within development patterns that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
The landmark Victoria packaged aims to to boost housing supply and affordability in Victoria – representing the biggest shake-up to planning and housing reform in generations.
Victoria is the fastest growing state in Australia, with our population set to hit 10.3 million by 2051. To ease the housing pressure Victorians are facing, the Government believed they needed to build 2.24 million homes in that time, including a target of 425,600 across regional and rural Victoria.
Victoria’s Housing Statement – The Decade Ahead 2024-2034 also sets a bold target to build 800,000 new homes — 80,000 a year — across the state over the next 10 years, delivered through an Affordability Partnership with the housing industry.
The Housing Statement focuses on five key areas to tackle the root of the problem – housing supply:
1. Good decisions, made faster: reforming Victoria’s planning system, clearing the backlog of planning permits, giving builders, buyers and renovators certainty about how long approvals will take – and a clear pathway to resolve issues quickly if those timeframes aren’t met.
2. Cheaper housing, closer to where you work: unlocking new spaces to stop urban sprawl, building more homes closer to where people have the transport, roads, hospitals and schools they need and delivering vital, basic community infrastructure.
3. Protecting renters’ rights: closing loopholes that drive up the cost of living for renters, giving tenants more certainty over their leases, living standards and finances, and resolving disputes faster to keep them out of VCAT.
4. More social housing: rapidly accelerating the rollout of social and affordable homes across Victoria and launching Australia’s biggest urban renewal project across Melbourne’s 44 high-rise social housing towers.
5. A long-term housing plan: delivering a long-term plan to guide how our state grows in the decades ahead, and reviewing the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to build a planning system that works with Victorians – not against them.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the program was important for the future of the state.
“Unlocking the potential in and around our major transport projects in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs is a key focus of our Housing Statement which will deliver more homes, more jobs and better-connected services,” she said.
