The Victorian government has revised its housing targets, scaling back plans for some Melbourne suburbs while maintaining ambitious growth goals for others.
Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced that growth corridor areas like Melton and Wyndham will see reduced targets, though they’re still expected to nearly double their housing stock by 2051.
The government has warned it may strip planning powers from councils that fail to meet these new targets.
ABC News has reported that the announcement has drawn criticism from Boroondara Mayor Sophie Torney, who said the ‘strong-arm’ approach was unnecessary, while Shadow Local Government Minister Bev McArthur called it a “smokescreen” for the government’s own policy failures.
Moorabool Shire CEO Derek Madden has responded to the announcement with a statement on LinkedIn, in which he says the state as planning authority for two major projects in his municipality has not deliver a single home after five years.
He said big government and the centralisation of power are not always the answer, and said there is a need to question what is said and claimed to be true.
Housing advocacy group YIMBY Melbourne is disappointed in the reduced targets, suggesting the government is backing away from needed bold action on the housing crisis.
Premier Jacinta Allan has defended the changes, and says they reflect the government’s commitment to consultation with local communities.
Posted: 24th February 2025