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Major planning changes proposed to meet housing targets

The Victorian Government is introducing major changes to planning in Victoria to deliver its Housing Statement and housing targets.

Ultimately, these changes will significantly alter Melbourne’s character and have an impact on many neighbourhoods.

The City of Boroondara recognises the need for more housing and some simplification of the planning system. However, we have expressed profound concerns that these reforms have been progressed without proper analysis of the long-term implications and without transparent consultation with local councils and Melbourne’s residents.

In pursuing this fast-track process, the Victorian Government has failed to establish common ground with key stakeholders and present clear justification for its reforms to the community.

No analysis of the implications of such growth for public open space, schools, health services, drainage and sewage systems critical to sustainable community wellbeing has been released by the Victorian Government.

There is little evidence that these major planning reforms will solve the current housing crisis.

What you can do

You can advise the Victorian Government on whether you support or oppose these changes.

We held a community forum at Hawthorn Arts Centre, 2 pm Sunday 15 September 2024. If you were unable to attend our community forum, you can download the presentation below.
 

Victorian Government Planning Reforms Community Forum presentation slide deck

  Victorian Government Planning Reforms Community Forum presentation slide deck 3.71 MB [PDF] 19 September 2024

Summary of changes

Housing Statement and related planning reforms

  • Announced in September 2023 through a media release, the Housing Statement set Victoria a housing target of 2.4 million new homes by 2051, with Melbourne’s housing target being 800,000 new houses in 10 years.
  • These targets do not match the population projections by Victoria in Future (VIF), the Victorian Government’s own population model, which usually underpins long term plans and strategies.
  • To achieve this, a range of significant planning reforms were foreshadowed to facilitate the delivery of additional housing.
  • This included identifying Camberwell Junction as one of 10 Major Activity Centres for fast-track implementation of planning controls via the Activity Centres Program.
  • The aim is for the development industry to deliver majority of new housing.
  • No commitment made to physical and social infrastructure delivery to support such an increase in housing and population.

Plan for Victoria and housing targets for Boroondara 

  • Plan for Victoria is proposed to replace Plan for Melbourne 2017-2050, which is the key planning policy driving the future of the state’s growth.
  • Following a first phase of high-level consultation in late 2023, an open call for feedback on ‘8 big ideas’ was made, however no draft plan was released for review. 
  • In June 2024, the Victorian Government then released draft housing targets for all Victorian councils.
  • Boroondara has been allocated the target of an additional 67,000 dwellings to the 70,000 currently existing in our municipality - almost double the number of dwellings in our city.
  • This housing target is meant to be achieved by 2051 and will require annual development levels to be at least 3 times what they have been over the last 10 years.
  • Final submissions on these draft targets and the ‘8 big ideas’ were due by 30 August 2024.

Draft Plan for Camberwell Junction 

  • In August 2024, the Victorian Government publicly released a Draft Camberwell Junction Activity Centre Plan (along with 9 other centres across Melbourne) via a media release.
  • This will set the future direction and building heights for Camberwell Junction.
  • The ‘activity centre area’ is consistent with Council’s adopted Camberwell Junction Structure and Place Plan, which was developed based on extensive research and consultation with the community. Council is supportive of this activity centre area.
  • An additional ‘catchment area’ that extends a further 800 m from the activity centre area encompasses approximately 10,800 properties and will allow for development height up to 6 storeys in heritage areas and low-scale single dwelling neighbourhoods. This catchment area includes 48% heritage properties. Council is not supportive of this ‘catchment area’. 
  • There is a notable absence of detail about how this draft Plan will be implemented.
  • The State has made no commitments to provide funding for local services and infrastructure to support this housing or for the loss of tree canopy and open spaces.

Changes to the way apartments and townhouses will be approved

  • These proposed changes to planning rules were released to certain stakeholders and councils on 29 August 2024, with no broader community consultation.
  • These changes come from a vague mention of reforms in the Housing Statement.
  • The Victorian Government proposes to change ResCode, which is the planning rules for single dwelling developments that require a planning permit (including lots under 300 square metres and apartment developments up to a height of 4 storeys).
  • The Victorian Government is proposing to convert ResCode standards to operate as ‘deemed to comply’ provisions, which essentially becomes a checklist for approving residential developments. These changes will remove qualitative assessment by local planning officers to consider local context.
  • The ResCode changes remove the right for neighbouring residents to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
  • The Victorian Government only allowed a limited time for feedback from select stakeholders on these far-reaching changes.

More information

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