Wednesday, 18 June 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) (12:24): I rise to update the house on how Development Victoria is engaging with the market to build more homes, more jobs and more opportunities for all Victorians. Two weeks ago I attended the topping-out ceremony of the Melbourne Quarter West Tower at Mr Welch’s favourite precinct, Docklands. We all know that Docklands is a beating heart, with public transport, the iconic wharves and Marvel Stadium – recently voted the best stadium in Australia – making the precinct a hive of activity. It was really fantastic to join the event with federal minister for housing and cities Clare O’Neil, the newly elected federal member for Melbourne Sarah Witty and the Mayor of the City of Melbourne Nick Reece.

Melbourne Quarter West is Lendlease’s final tower in the Melbourne Quarter mixed-use precinct. This is a 2.5-hectare site. It is a visionary joint venture between Lendlease and the Japanese consortium Daiwa House, and of the 2.5 hectares, half of that space will be open, public-realm space, which again shows a range of really careful and considered decisions around design and development.

Development Vic has been working with Lendlease since 2013 to help deliver this precinct. It has been long-term work, it has been careful work and it shows the value of Development Victoria in the way in which we are growing and growing well. When this project is complete next year, there will be 797 new build-to-rent residences with a range of studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments across the tower’s 45 levels. This is Australia’s largest build-to-rent project, and the new residents will join the already 17,500 residents who call Docklands home. Sixteen of these apartments will be rented for a 15-year period at a 20 per cent discount to the Melbourne Water residential build-to-rent market rents. They will support the housing statement, and they will make sure that as we grow we are growing well, with amenity, connection and opportunities for everyone to be connected to the places that they love.