State sets housing goal for Geelong

THE Victorian government wants to see an additional 128,600 homes built in Greater Geelong by 2051 to meet projected demand across the region.

The target was confirmed last week following consultation with the City of Greater Geelong, with the state government promising to hold the council – along with councils across the state where housing targets have also been set – accountable to these “fair and achievable” targets.

In a statement, the state government said it would be up to councils to work together with government and industry to “unlock this capacity in a way that’s right for the community”.

“If councils have no interest in doing so, there will be consequences – government will intervene and unlock space for more homes, including through rezoning.”

Premier Jacinta Allan praised the work regional councils were already doing to deliver more housing.

“We’ll continue to work with them to make sure they have the support they need to get more homes off the ground,” she said.

It comes amid a push to build 2.24 million new homes across the state over the next 30 years, with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny set to retain powers to intervene or fast-track developments to ensure these targets are met.

“We want to make sure our kids have access to the same opportunities as our generation, to be able to buy or rent a place close to where we grew up and close to family – that’s where these targets come in.”

Geelong MP Christine Couzens said Geelong was a great place to live, work and raise a family.

“These targets will give clear direction for the housing needs of people wanting to make Geelong their home in the future,” she said.

As part of its plans to boost housing supply across the state, the Victorian government last week released a 30-year “Plan for Victoria”, to better support population and urban growth across the regions.

At the centre of this plan is the pledge to develop regional growth boundaries for the Geelong region, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, similar to the ones already established for the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula through the Distinctive Areas and Landscape process.

Ms Allan said these regional boundaries would ensure homes, including affordable housing options, are built where they’re needed, and this growth is managed in a sustainable way.

“My big fight is getting young people into homes, and Plan for Victoria really brings it all together,” she said.

“This is how we’ll find space for those homes in a way that’s right for every community.”