Tens of thousands of new homes slated for Geelong region

COUNCILS across Victoria have been tasked with identifying areas to build new homes to meet future growth.

The state government is engaging in local government consultation on draft housing capacity targets for each local government area.

By 2051, the City of Greater Geelong, including the Bellarine, is proposed to accommodate 139,800 additional homes; the Surf Coast Shire 7,800 new homes; and the Borough of Queenscliffe 800 new homes.

Final targets will be released by the end of the year.

According to the state government, Victoria needs more than two million additional homes by the 2050s.

The state government wants to place these homes near jobs, transport, education, and services, especially in established suburbs.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the draft housing target for his municipality was the highest in the state.

“Council is planning for strong population growth over the next two decades, but this level of new housing would be an increase on the forecasts in our Settlement Strategy.

“We’ll be considering the target, discussing it with the government and making a submission via the Plan for Victoria process.

“Geelong is getting bigger and that brings a lot of exciting opportunities. At the same time, it’s very important to us and our community that growth is planned and managed in a way that maintains what we all love about living here.

“We’ll need to see significant government investment in services and infrastructure for our region as our population grows.”

Geelong’s growth strategy includes a 50-50 split between new growth areas and infill development.

About 40,000 homes will be in the Northern and Western Geelong Growth Areas, while infill development will focus on central Geelong, Pakington Street North, the former Saleyards Precinct in North Geelong, and South Geelong.

A borough spokesperson said a vital part of the target development process was close engagement with local government on the draft targets.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the plan was all about confidence.

“To give industry the confidence they need to get on and build, we need government and all councils working towards the same goal: more homes for Victorians – in the right places.”