New Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, claims the Government’s bold housing reforms are igniting interest from industry partners looking to be part of a State plan to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade.
Premier Allan said that in the last fortnight alone, the Government has received more than 100 enquiries from industry ready to build thousands of new homes under an expanded Development Facilitation Program (DFP).
She said the expanded DFP sees the Minister for Planning appointed the decision maker for significant residential developments that include affordable housing.
“We won’t waste a minute getting on with our housing reforms – we’ve given industry the certainty they deserve, now more than 100 partners have told us they stand ready to build thousands of affordable homes for Victorians,” the Premier said.
She said the Government will streamline the planning process for medium to high density residential developments that meet the set criteria: construction costs worth at least $50 million in Melbourne or $15 million in regional Victoria, and delivering at least 10% affordable housing.
“It’ll include new build-to-rent projects, and it’ll cut application timeframes for these types of projects from more than 12 months down to four.”
Premier Allan and Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny (pictured together above) today visited Nightingale Village in Brunswick, where former industrial land has been transformed into quality, sustainable housing.
“We’re getting on with the job of boosting housing supply – making sure good decisions are made faster with a planning system that works to build more high quality homes close to where Victorians want to live,” said Minister Kilkenny.
The village brought together leading Melbourne architects to develop a mix of housing and retail, including a 20% allocation of housing to affordable housing providers.
Two blocks north, another $70 million nine-storey Nightingale development at 215-219 Albion Street, Brunswick, is now complete – next to Anstey Station and close to jobs and public services.
