The Victorian division of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA Victoria) has welcomed the long-term vision for managing Victoria’s population growth outlined by the Liberal National Coalition but cautioned that the strategy should redirect its focus from slowing growth to speeding up infrastructure and services delivery.

Liberal Nationals Government will establish a Population Commission with a board of seven people appointed by the Premier and serviced by a secretariat based in the Department of Premier & Cabinet. 

The Population Commission will work across state and federal governments to assess and determine the likely population levels for Victoria for the years 2025, 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2070, 2080, 2090 and 2100.

The Commission will also work with local councils to determine how population is likely to change over the same time periods and how it should be managed in each Local Government Area including regional cities to ensure that Victoria and Melbourne’s population growth is sustainable and maintains liveability.

The Commission will take advice and information from the Federal Government, Local Government, Infrastructure Victoria, Victorian Government Departments and Victorian Statutory Authorities in determining the sustainable population levels.

To read UDIA Victoria’s media release in response to this announcement, please see here.

To read the full media release from the Liberal National Coalition, please see here.