Nearly 150 new homes will soon rise in Melbourne’s suburbs of Brunswick and Springvale as part of the Allan Labor Government’s strategy to deliver more housing near jobs, transport and essential services.
Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing visited Brunswick on Thursday to confirm the approval of two major residential developments under the Development Facilitation Program—one at Albert Street in Brunswick and another on Kintore Street in Springvale.
The Brunswick project will see 61 new apartments built across eight storeys, located within walking distance of Sydney Road, Brunswick Station, and local parks. The Springvale site will feature 87 homes across seven storeys, entirely allocated as affordable housing.
Both developments aim to support residents on low to moderate incomes. The Springvale homes will be managed by a not-for-profit provider and are positioned near transport links, schools, shops and healthcare.
All apartments are designed to meet energy efficiency standards, achieving a minimum seven-star NatHERS rating. The buildings will include shared communal areas and be surrounded by canopy trees to increase green cover.
“These projects are exactly what we need—homes that are ready to go, in areas people want to live,” said Minister Shing. “Victoria continues to approve and build thousands more homes than any other state, and this pathway is one of the ways we’re making sure we get more good-quality homes built sooner.”
The announcement follows a series of planning changes rolled out by the state government in recent months, including rezoning areas near tram and train lines, simplifying townhouse construction rules, and introducing housing targets for local councils. These changes are part of the broader push to ease housing pressures and reduce the waiting time for home seekers.
The developments come amid continued pressure on the housing market, with strong migration and a shortage of rental properties in Melbourne pushing demand higher. While some community concerns have been raised in other areas about overdevelopment and local infrastructure strain, government officials argue these projects are needed to meet real and growing demand.
“These fast-tracked approvals are a step towards making sure more families can live closer to what they need,” said Sheena Watt, Member for Northern Metropolitan. “Here in Brunswick, 61 new homes will give more people the chance to stay near loved ones and access the things that matter.”
Eden Foster, Member for Mulgrave, welcomed the Springvale project. “This new development will mean 87 families in Springvale will be able to access affordable housing close to the train station, jobs and services,” she said.
The state’s approach has attracted criticism from opposition figures, though the government maintains it is delivering on its commitments while its critics remain without a clear plan.
“While we’re focused on helping more young Victorians to rent or buy a home of their own, Brad Battin is missing in action—with no housing plan, no courage, and colleagues who are determined to block the homes that people need,” Minister Shing said.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Victoria currently leads the country in home approvals, commencements and completions. The government says this momentum will continue through targeted investments and a focus on building where people want to live.
The Brunswick and Springvale developments are expected to begin construction soon, with details on tenancy allocation for the affordable housing in Springvale to be released by the managing provider closer to completion.
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