MORE homes in Melbourne’s established areas instead of the outer fringes is the way to create a better quality of life for Victorians.<\/p>\n
That’s what Infrastructure Victoria has said in its latest urban development report, which was released last week.<\/p>\n
It found residents were becoming increasingly disconnected from work, education, services and transport as they move further out in search of their own home.<\/p>\n
“The evidence shows that this delivers worse quality of life and opportunities for Victorians – but it’s not too late to turn that around,” Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Jonathan Spear said.<\/p>\n
Governments should focus on compact city models, both in Melbourne and the regions, with more apartments and flats built close to existing infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Dr Spear said compact cities provided economic benefits because they offered businesses better opportunities to hire staff and connect with customers and markets.<\/p>\n
It was also a better model for the environment, with more land left for agriculture and wildlife habitat.<\/p>\n
“A sprawling, dispersed city consumes an extra 30,000 hectares of land compared to a more compact city,” Dr Spear said.<\/p>\n
“That’s equivalent to over 12,000 times the field size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.”<\/p>\n
The report makes five recommendations to the State Government, including setting growth boundaries and implementing housing targets for established areas.<\/p>\n
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the Government was already taking steps through its housing statement, released last month.<\/p>\n
“There are great opportunities to build more homes in those areas,” she said.<\/p>\n
“That is also a key feature of the housing statement, looking at how we can increase the building of more homes closer to transport connection, schools and hospitals.”<\/p>\n