Our updated and newly adopted Boroondara Housing Strategy will help us plan for our community’s housing needs up until 2038. Our Planning team tells us what it’s all about.
Why do we need a housing strategy?
Over the next 15 years Boroondara is forecast to grow by around 28,700 residents, with 9,400 additional dwellings needed to house our future community. A Housing Strategy helps us manage the provision of housing for the benefit of our current and future residents. It’s also required as the strategic foundation for any future housing policies and controls in the Boroondara Planning Scheme – such as changes to zoning, local planning policies and planning provisions.
What are our housing challenges?
We’ve used the latest Census data and projections to tell us who we are and how we live. It gives us insight into current and emerging housing challenges, from protecting heritage and character to sustainability, housing choice and affordability, and an ageing population.
What does the community think?
We invited the community to share their feedback on the draft strategy through an online survey and in-person drop-in sessions. Overall, there was strong support for the 3 strategic directions proposed in the strategy. We know that protecting and respecting the character of Boroondara matters to our community. They also care about high-quality, appropriate development, with diversity in housing size and affordability.
What are the 3 strategic directions?
Housing diversity in appropriate locations
Providing a range of housing types, sizes and costs allows a variety of people to live in Boroondara. Analysis shows there is adequate capacity in the planning scheme for projected future housing, but most new development will continue to be directed towards major activity centres, commercial corridors and some main roads. Our Housing Framework Plan outlines 3 ‘change areas’ – low, moderate and high.
Housing that is sustainable and achieves design excellence
Improving our housing to be more energy efficient, and adapting existing housing, are vital responses to climate change. Council will reinforce expectations for the highest-quality building design.
Housing that meets the needs of all residents now and in the future
The dominant household type in Boroondara is couples with children. But this is changing, with an increase in single-person and couple-only households, and an ageing population. Supporting a diversity of housing stock will help cater for smaller households, along with social and affordable housing.
What happens next?
Strategy actions will help us support communities, housing providers and the Victorian Government to work together to meet Boroondara’s housing needs.
To read our Housing Strategy and find out more, visit our Boroondara Housing Strategy page.