Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Ministers statements: housing

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:51): I rise today to update the house on how the priority precincts program is delivering more homes, more jobs and more opportunities for all Victorians, including as we head toward 98 per cent of our target under the Commonwealth government’s 1.2 million homes target. Our government recognises that Victorians want to live in areas that are close to jobs, services and transport, and our precincts are creating vibrant, liveable and sustainable communities. At Docklands, Development Victoria recently joined Lendlease to celebrate the start of construction at their Ancora waterfront residences. Ancora is going to provide 300 new residences, adding to the 10,000 apartments already completed or under construction at Docklands. Residents in Docklands are spoilt for choice, whether it be in public transport connections, a range of walking and cycling paths or proximity to the iconic Marvel Stadium.

Others – and I can hear you getting a bit exercised up the back there, Mr Welch – want to talk down our precincts, channelling the worst far-right conspiracies from other parts of the world. Some – Mr Welch, I am looking at you – have decried Docklands as having a Stalinist approach to urban planning. You are talking about ‘communist areas’ in the Hansard, with a ‘let us build towers’ attitude. But if we want a case study on how to ruin a precinct, we need to talk about Fishermans Bend. Once upon a time Fishermans Bend was hastily rezoned, allowing for swathes of high-rise residential applications – some went as high as 60 storeys. There were no plans for community consultation to support the projected influx of 100,000 residents. This was a bit before your time in this place, Mr Welch, but we all remember that this was the handiwork of the member for Bulleen. Whilst those opposite left Victorians behind for their mates in the property development industry, our government is on the side of Victorians.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, the minister seems to be heading into a pseudo ministers statement – a statement that does not apply to anything current. She wants to talk about 10 years ago, 11 years ago, but I have to say, her job is to talk about ministerial announcements, not ancient history.

The PRESIDENT: The standing orders refer to a minister making a ministers statement during question time. They do not put any parameters around anything else.

Harriet SHING: Just recently I visited the Fishermans Bend innovation precinct with my good friend Nina Taylor, the member for Albert Park. Works have begun to deliver necessary infrastructure, and the circular economy is thriving thanks to the recent launch of the Circular Design Collective, supported by our Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. To top it off, a new primary school will be opening at the start of 2026.