The State Government is confident that land set aside in the northern corridor is ‘enough to meet estimated demand for more than 18 years’.
The government’s statement on land available for future housing comes after the Wallan South Precinct Structure Plan, PSP, and Wallan East Part One PSP were both paused, resulting in an estimated 7000 homes and 4150 jobs being delayed.
Following the State Budget in May, the Victorian Planning Authority, VPA, reviewed its work program in July and reprioritising several PSP timings.
The pause follows the 2020 announcement of fast-tracking the Wallan and Beveridge North West PSPs with greater resources and prioritisation expected to save between six and 12 months from the standard processes.
A State Government spokesperson said a majority of housing projects continued to make steady progress with minimal impact on timelines.
“We’ve provided $3.5 million in funding to the Victorian Planning Authority to accelerate and deliver a pipeline of PSPs, making more land available across the state to improve housing supply and affordability,” they said.
“As of March 2023, the area of land in the northern corridor, including Hume, Mitchell and Whittlesea, that is zoned for housing can accommodate around 93,000 housing lots, enough to meet estimated demand for more than 18 years.”
The VPA have paused the Wallan South PSP to allow for a more aligned approach with a Ministerial Advisory Committee report on the Beveridge North West PSP, along with resolution of broader northern corridor matters.
A State Government spokesperson said the Minister for Planning would make a decision on the Beveridge North West PSP and planning permit application for a proposed quarry south of Wallan after the VPA completed its review.
In addressing the delay of the Wallan East PSP, the spokesperson said the Department of Transport and Planning had been working with the VPA and Mitchell Shire Council on the planning and progression of the Wallan East land.
When asked about whether ailing road infrastructure in the Mitchell Shire had an impact on the delay of the PSPs, the spokesperson said the government’s $20.1 million package to repair the Hume Freeway, from Wodonga to Kalkallo, was addressing short-term emergency repairs following last year’s floods and significant rain.
The spokesperson also pointed to Major Road Projects Victoria’s planning works on the Watson Street interchange upgrade at Wallan.
“Upgrades to the interchange would improve access to and from the Hume Freeway, reduce travel times, improve safety, cater for population growth and increased vehicle movements and improve freight connectivity between the freeway and Wallan East industrial estates,” the spokesperson said.
“A business case is currently being developed and is expected to be complete in 2024.”
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell could not be drawn into the housing debate, and said planning was a matter for the State Government and councils.
“The Albanese government has been clear that we all need to be doing more to deliver more housing,” he said.
The Wallan East PSP developer declined to comment.
