- Published:
- Friday 25 October 2024
More homes mean opportunity – that’s why the Allan Labor Government is driving home building and infrastructure funding and slashing upfront costs everywhere in the state, including in Victoria’s regional centres and towns.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Housing Harriet Shing today visited Myers St, Bendigo – where 73 social homes are being delivered as part of the Big Housing Build – to announce more support for cities, towns and councils as they continue to grow.
Support for communities to build more infrastructure
The Allan Labor Government will create a simpler, fairer system for property developers to contribute to funding for local infrastructure, parks and services in the areas where they build more homes.
Through this plan, cities and towns that build more homes will get more funding for the things they need, like roads, paths, public transport, schools, health and community facilities, plus parks, sporting fields, open space – and more.
Under the Government’s plan, a developer contributions system would – for the first time – serve all communities in regional Victoria, not just some. Only 14 of the state’s regional councils – or less than one third – apply some type of developer contribution when additional homes are built on a site. It’s part of why the system needs change.
The Government will work with key members of its Housing Affordability Partnership to deliver long-term change. This working group will meet from November 2024 to look at models for change and find a potential system that works for industry, councils, Government, and communities. It will report back in March 2025.
Regional Victoria is incredibly different to Melbourne, and Government can announce that this review will specifically look at the unique infrastructure needs of rural and regional Victoria – so those needs can be met.
The long-term reform will build on the more than $35 billion the Labor Government has invested in regional Victoria to upgrade schools, parks, tracks, trails, health services, and transport – including every single regional train line.
Support for Victorians who deserve the security and dignity of a home
That’s why the Labor Government will deliver 1,300 social and affordable homes right across Victoria through the $1 billion Regional Housing Fund. The Fund is all about making sure that everyone has the dignity of a roof over their head – no matter where in Victoria they live. Today, the Government can announce the regions where the first 1,000 homes will go:
68 homes in Mallee
98 homes in Wimmera South-West
162 homes in Loddon
34 homes in Central Highlands
238 homes in Barwon
140 homes in Goulburn
110 homes in Ovens Murray
65 homes in Outer Gippsland
110 homes in Inner Gippsland
Work is well underway, with at least 180 new and upgraded homes already completed. This includes 50 transitional housing homes to rapidly house people experiencing homelessness, and more than 130 existing homes upgraded.
Some 70 dwellings to support flood-affected areas in Shepparton, Seymour and Rochester are being delivered, with 20 due for completion by the end of next year. And another 50 social and affordable homes are in delivery in Colac, plus 50 in Wodonga. More projects and locations will be announced as future programs are finalised.
More than 3,400 homes are already completed or underway in regional Victoria, as part of capital projects, including the Big Housing Build and the Regional Housing Fund.
Support for councils to build new homes
To help rural and regional councils meet their draft housing targets, the Labor Government is investing in a pipeline of regional planners – and providing councils the resources and tools they need to deliver more homes.
To boost planning capacity in regional councils, the Government can announce it will contribute $500,000 towards a Regional Planner Cadetship Program.
The program has been developed to support new planners to enter the rural and regional local government workforce, and it will directly address a state shortage of planners that is slowing planning processes in many councils in rural and regional areas – and slowing down new homes.
Government is also delivering a Regional Planning Hubs program which places planning experts in regional and rural councils to support the planning and development of their local community. Both programs are all about making processes faster, making communities better, and building homes sooner.
Additional changes to integrate the Victorian Planning Authority will ensure more regional councils get more planning support for projects which are set to deliver more than 24,000 homes and create 3,700 jobs. These include:
Shepparton South East in City of Greater Shepparton – to deliver an additional 2,500 homes and 220 jobs
Bannockburn South East in Golden Plains Shire – to deliver an additional 5,000 homes and 700 jobs
East of Aberline in Warrnambool City Council – to deliver an additional 4,000 homes and 380 jobs
Ballarat North in City of Ballarat – to deliver an additional 6,000 homes and 600 jobs
Merrimu in Moorabool in Moorabool Shire Council – to deliver an additional 6,800 homes and 1,800 jobs.
More homes everywhere – including in regional Victoria
The Government will make easier for Victorians to subdivide their block – everywhere in regional Victoria. The Government is slashing stamp duty on off-the-plan units and townhouses – everywhere in regional Victoria.
The Government is creating a new building quality watchdog with teeth, to give new buyers peace of mind – and it will use its powers everywhere in regional Victoria.
Because the Government believes in more homes, everywhere – including in regional Victoria. There’s more to come. Over the coming days, the Government will make additional announcements about more homes and more opportunity for renters, owners and buyers – including in regional Victoria.
To read more about the Government’s plans for more homes and more opportunity, visit vic.gov.au/more-homes.
Quote attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan
“As a regional Victorian, there’s no better place to live – that’s why we’re making sure more young Victorians and families can get the chance to live here, too.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Housing Harriet Shing
“Our Regional Housing Fund will help give Victorians a safe, secure and modern home – no matter where they live.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
“More and more Victorians are calling regional Victoria home – and we’re giving regional councils the support they need to get these homes built faster.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
"Bendigo is an amazing place to raise a family - and that's why we're making sure more Victorians can call this beautiful city home."