MORE homes mean more opportunity—that’s why the State Government is setting clear housing targets in every Victorian local government area for councils, government, and industry to deliver over the next 30 years.
But the State Government is clear: if individual councils don’t try to meet these targets, they’ll lose their planning powers.
In the Mitchell Shire, this means building 68,000 homes by 2051, and in the Whittlesea City Council, building 87,000.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny recently visited Hawthorn to announce the final council housing capacity targets, calling on all councils to join government in meeting them together.
Since releasing draft targets last year, the government has met with every Victorian council to understand their plans and the barriers they face in unlocking the capacity, working with councils to help shape the final targets to ensure they are accurate, fair, and achievable.
Victoria needs 2.24 million new homes by 2051 to preserve the dream of home ownership for young people and workers, and to make sure there’s enough rentals for those who need them. But where these homes go matter.
More homes are needed in established suburbs close to jobs, transport, and services, so that young people can live near family and work. And pressure needs to come off outer suburbs that have carried too much of the load.
New greenfield housing sub-targets that have been introduced for growth area councils in metro Melbourne—as well as in Geelong, Bendigo, and Ballarat—are all about recognising those unique growth pressures.
Young people and workers in regional Victoria need more homes, too. The statewide target projects 25 per cent of homes will be in regional Victoria by 2051. Targets will mean regions can continue growing the right way, in line with their traditional share of the state’s homes and population.
These targets are about the capacity in each council area for more homes. It’s up to councils to work together with government and industry to unlock this capacity in a way that’s right for the community.
Ms Allan said it was time for more houses to open up.
“It’s simple—work with us to unlock space for more homes or we’ll do it for you,” she said.
“It’s not fair that Victorian families and young people have been completely locked out of living in some areas, while other parts of Melbourne have had to bear the brunt of all that growth.
“We’re in a housing crisis and the status quo is not an option. It’s time to shake things up.”
The landmark Plan for Victoria, to be released soon, will contain a declaration that government will hold councils accountable with explicit directions to change planning schemes if they are not providing enough housing capacity—and, if required, the government will step in to update planning schemes.
It means that if councils don’t start doing the planning work now to meet these targets, the government will intervene and unlock space for more homes—including through rezoning. The Minister for Planning will also retain her powers to intervene or fast track developments.
Ms Kilkenny said the time was right to make sure housing was ready for a new generation of Victorians.
“There are many councils who have done the right thing and made life better and more affordable for locals,” she said.
“To the councils who used to block and who are now ready to build, I say to them: let’s talk.”
