Grow, grow, grow … that’s the message for Melbourne’s north coming from the state government.
More new housing on Melbourne’s northern and western fringes is needed to drive the state’s economy, Planning Minister Matthew Guy said last week.
The minister set a 50,000-lot land supply target to boost housing developments in the north and west this year, and to lift “confidence in the Victorian construction sector”.
“Every million dollars spent on housing construction creates seven full-time jobs in the building sector, with further flow-on jobs,” Mr Guy said.
Meanwhile, Whittlesea residents are being asked for their views on the new residential zones the minister has required all councils to establish, including zones aimed at increasing housing density and diversity in the older southern areas of the municipality.
All residents have until April 14 to have their say on the new zones, while submissions from residents of established areas also need to take into account the council’s housing-diversity strategy, which stipulates which parts of Lalor, Epping, Mill Park, South Morang, Thomastown and Whittlesea will be opened up for higher-density housing.
Submissions about the housing-diversity strategy go to the council whereas those from residents in Doreen, Epping North, Mernda, Wollert and parts of South Morang go directly to the state government.
Whittlesea council starts a six-week public consultation period on the strategy and new zones this month. Information session dates are detailed on the council’s website, along with zoning information for each area.
The council says the strategy is the culmination of five years of extensive work and consultation with residents and developers “to ensure there is a greater choice of housing in our established suburbs and that development occurs in appropriate locations”.
“All residential land will be rezoned and it is expected that the zoning will change for some residents in these areas,” the council’s planning information states. The strategy was adopted in December and identifies the mix of housing required for changing household types, the preferred locations for growth close to public transport and services and the areas where zonings will change.
