The Victorian Government has revealed its landmark ten-year greenfields plan, which is set to deliver the state’s longest pipeline of new land for new homes.
The State Government has said that the plan will:
- Unlock a decade-long pipeline of new homes with backyards in greenfield suburbs for big, growing families
- Show industry and community exactly where the future opportunities lie and the plan to deliver them
- Help home builders get on with building by integrating and streamlining parts of the planning system
- Provide more choice and get the balance right between development in the outer suburbs and inner city
A decade’s worth of homes and backyards
The plan includes 27 additional greenfield areas across Melbourne’s outer south-east, north, and west to be released over the next ten years – committing to providing the space and completing the planning work to deliver 180,000 new homes over the decade.
The pipeline of available land gives developers the confidence to invest early and get shovels in the ground sooner to deliver more homes for big, growing families. It also provides concrete timelines for industry and community about when the 27 new planning processes will commence.
The structure planning process will ensure these areas are well prepared for development, with the release of unzoned land sequenced to align with the provision of infrastructure and community needs so that new communities are liveable, green and adequately serviced.
The first three greenfield plans set to be released in 2024-25 include:
- Northern Freight Precinct, an employment precinct in Whittlesea Council
- Cardinia Creek South Part 2, a residential precinct in Cardinia Council
- Kororoit Part 2, the western corridor within Melton Council adjacent to Caroline Springs
These build on the seven metropolitan Melbourne greenfield plans under preparation as part of the Victorian Planning Authority’s workplan.
Helping builders get on with building
The government will also improve the planning system so builders can get on with building. From 1 January 2025, the Victorian Planning Authority will be integrated with the Department of Transport and Planning.
This means, for the first time, the four major components of Victoria’s planning system – strategic, transport, statutory and spatial – will be working together to cut delays and duplication and deliver faster and better structure planning.
The government will also offer a dedicated concierge service to work with councils and industry to identify, intervene and fix the issues that are preventing zoned land from being developed.
Government will also review several existing greenfield PSPs that are not yet fully developed to understand opportunities for increasing the number and types of homes where there is sufficient planned infrastructure.
Fixing the unfair split of suburban growth
For the last 30 years, greenfield areas have shouldered a disproportionate amount of Melbourne’s growth. Homes in well-serviced council areas like Boroondara have only grown 24 per cent since 1994 while Wyndham grew 439 per cent over the same time.
The ten-year plan will turn the tide and help realise the government’s vision of 70 per cent of homes in Melbourne going in inner and established areas with 30 per cent going in outer-suburban ‘greenfield’ areas – instead of the other way around. This plan provides the space and the planning work for that 30 per cent.
At the same time, the government’s plans to build more homes in inner-suburban areas close to transport, services and jobs – particularly around more than 50 activity centres – will help deliver hundreds of thousands of additional homes in established areas.
Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, said that family homes and backyards are a beautiful thing for those who want it, which is why the State Government is delivering ten years’ worth of them in one big plan for the first time ever.
“Whether it’s a new house with a backyard that’s fit for a big family, or a unit in the inner suburbs near a train station for a first home buyer – I’m about more homes and more opportunities for everyone,” Premier Allan said.
Victorian Minister for Planning and Suburbs, Sonya Kilkenny, said that this announcement is what builders like those represented by the Urban Development Institute of Australia have been asking for to plan and build with confidence.
“This is all about providing choice and getting the balance right between development in the outer suburbs and development in the inner city. For too long, that’s been too one-sided.”
Local Government response
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) CEO, Kelly Grigsby, said that in light of the State Government announcement on the release of the ten-year greenfields plan, MAV has renewed its calls for a joined-up vision for greater metro Melbourne.
“Melbourne is the country’s fastest growing city,” Ms Grigsby said.
“The scale and complexity of this growth management and planning task cannot be overstated, with local government a leader and critical partner in shaping the future of our city and creating neighbourhoods that are thriving and great places to live.
“Further expansion of growth areas must include consideration for strong economic and employment clusters, transport in support of a connected and compact city – as the Activity Centre announcement acknowledged – and include the community infrastructure that can support growth areas to be great places to build more homes.
“The MAV is aligned with the Planning Institute of Australia’s call that development contributions reform needs input beyond the development industry, from planning experts and local government.
“Once our elections are finalised, councils will be at the ready to partner with the State Government on reform to development contributions, Activity Centres, and new greenfield projects.”
