Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Ministers statements: housing affordability

Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Minister for Planning, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (15:03): I am pleased to rise today to talk about this government’s focus on achieving great planning outcomes for the people of Victoria. In less than a decade Melbourne will overtake Sydney as Australia’s largest city. Looking ahead to the 2050s, Victoria is projected to be home to approximately 11 million people. By then Melbourne will be the size of present-day London, and our regional population will exceed 2 million. New people require new homes. As Minister for Planning, I am focused on ensuring that these homes are affordable. I am focused on ensuring our homes create opportunities for people to thrive by living in attractive, well-designed and connected neighbourhoods, with good access to transport, jobs and services, close to family and friends.

Plan Melbourne is the guiding strategic planning document which sets a vision for what we need to achieve by 2050. This plan is due to be updated every five years, and we are working on that update now. The next plan must focus on housing affordability and choice. The next plan must focus on building homes that are quality homes, durable and built to last. I recently visited terrific developments in Brunswick with a member for the Northern Metropolitan Region in the other place. These projects demonstrate it is feasible to build sustainable, comfortable homes in established Melbourne while also partnering with community housing providers and delivering 20 per cent affordable housing.

I also recently had the pleasure of visiting the member for Northcote’s electorate with the member for Preston to see an excellent townhouse development where a group of families came together to co-design and develop the land. Good developments like these show the opportunity that is in front of us, and the Andrews Labor government is ready to take it. There is a very meaningful role for all members of this Parliament to play in a big community discussion about the future of our cities and regions. We must have a conversation with all Victorians about the best way to build homes in established suburbs, and I invite all members to join me on this journey ahead.