The Andrews Labor Government is moving ahead with a major social housing project, with planning changes to protect vegetation, ensure good traffic flow and maintain the character of local neighbourhoods.
The Inclusionary Housing Pilot is set to deliver up to 100 new social housing dwellings across six sites as well as additional private homes in areas close to services, jobs and transport.
Minister for Planning Richard Wynne today announced amendments to local planning schemes across four sites – Boronia, Broadmeadows, Parkville and Wodonga – which will progress the pilot to next stages.
The introduction of the new zones and overlays will preserve vegetation, ensure adequate traffic and parking management, provide public open space and ensure the proposed developments respond to the site and surrounding neighbourhood character.
Changes include a new 7,500 metre square park for the local Broadmeadows community, and protection of all habitat areas and significant trees on the Boronia development.
The Labor Government is delivering more social housing in key areas across Victoria thanks to the Inclusionary Housing pilot program – fulfilling a key election commitment.
The pilot is part of the Labor Government’s housing strategy Homes for Victorians and is an innovative way of developing social and affordable housing to ensure vulnerable Victorians aren’t left behind.
The six sites, located in Boronia, Broadmeadows, Noble Park, Parkville, Reservoir and Wodonga, have been carefully selected and identified as surplus government land suitable for development.
The Government Land Standing Advisory Committee has now provided their recommendations to the Minister about the proposed planning provision changes.
Proposals to develop the sites will be sought through an Expression of Interest process and evaluated to make sure they deliver a considered mix of social housing, affordable housing and private housing.
The land will be developed in partnership with a community housing provider, in close consultation with government and the relevant local council.
More information is available at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne
“We need to build and invest in liveable communities and make the most of land we already have, and this pilot will create up to 100 new social housing homes to support our most vulnerable.”
“These planning changes address feedback received from local communities, and will ensure existing vegetation and local neighbourhood character is protected.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020