The Victorian Liberals and Nationals have announced a housing policy they say will increase supply and improve affordability across the state, arguing that current settings have led to higher costs and fewer homes being built.
The Opposition says Victoria has the highest property tax burden in the country and that housing construction has fallen compared with a decade ago. It has outlined a four-part plan aimed at accelerating development in growth areas, expanding inner-city capacity, restoring community input into planning decisions and supporting regional growth.
Under the proposal, a Coalition government would fast-track home building in existing growth corridors by clearing what it describes as a backlog of 27 Precinct Structure Plans. It would also expand the Capital City Zone in Melbourne’s CBD to allow more residential and mixed-use development.
The plan includes measures for middle and outer suburbs, with a focus on what the Coalition calls restoring local voice to planning through community-led structure plans. In regional Victoria, it proposes working directly with councils to manage growth in regional centres.
Leader of the Opposition Jess Wilson said the policy was designed to broaden access to home ownership.
“We want every Victorian to have the best opportunity to own their own home,” she said.
Ms Wilson said housing supply had not kept pace with demand.
“Under Labor, Victoria is building fewer homes now than a decade ago – meaning higher prices, higher rents and less choice,” she said.
“My team has a plan to improve housing affordability by releasing more land, bringing greater density to the inner city, protecting the voice of local residents and supporting growth in our regions.”
Shadow Minister for Planning David Southwick said the construction sector was struggling under current conditions.
“Under Labor, Victoria’s construction sector is in decline and builders are openly saying ‘Anywhere but Victoria’,” he said.
“To get more families and young Victorians into homes, we need a new plan to cut red tape, reduce costs and make it easier to build in Victoria.”
Mr Southwick said the Coalition’s approach would provide greater flexibility for residents and investors.
“Only the Liberals and Nationals have a comprehensive plan to grow all of our state and providing Victorians choice as to where and how they live.”
Housing affordability has become a central issue in Victoria amid rising rents, increased migration and pressure on planning systems. The Coalition’s announcement signals that planning reform and land release will be central to its pitch to voters at the next state election.
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