Media Release

The Urban Development Institute of Australia, Victoria (UDIA Victoria) welcomes the Victorian Government’s planning reforms to address housing affordability.

UDIA Victoria CEO, Linda Allison said that the Housing Statement is the first step in implementing overdue planning reforms and it sends a confidence signal to industry.

The planning reforms will encourage faster approvals and prioritise development around activity centres will make it easier for new homes to be built in areas that are close to existing amenities and transport networks.

“Untangling planning red tape is an important step to getting projects moving to deliver much-needed homes for Victorian families,” said Ms Allison.

UDIA Victoria also welcomed the commitment from the Victorian Government to support housing across all types of communities, from the growth areas, the regions and established suburbs.

“We are delighted that the Government listened to industry concerns and has acted to get Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) moving.  PSPs are the blueprints for new suburbs, new homes, and new communities. Recognising the need to get PSPs moving again is a confidence boost for a part of the industry that has effectively been on ice,” said Ms Allison.

The UDIA Victoria is part of a powerful industry alliance, alongside Property Council of Australia, Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Association who will partner with Government to deliver the proposed housing targets of 800,000 homes over the decade.  

“This partnership with industry and the highest level of Government will ensure a collaborative approach towards combating the housing crisis,” Ms Allison said.

While planning reform is welcome, UDIA Victoria calls for an expanded affordability plan that commits to addressing other factors impacting affordability including taxation, construction costs and labour shortages.

“We know that the Victorian taxation system is currently an obstacle to investment, and many projects need investors to get them out of the ground, not just owner-occupiers.  We need to remove barriers to investment like the foreign purchaser additional duty to deliver the homes Victorians need.”

The Government’s intervention to ensure water and sewer connections can occur in a timely manner was also acknowledged by UDIA Victoria, along with the release of Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution funds and the ongoing role of the Victorian Planning Authority in the creation of Precinct Structure Plans.

-ENDS-

MEDIA CONTACTS AND REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEW:
UDIA Victoria: Linda Allison, CEO
Email: info@udiavic.com.au