Implementation plans > Housing > Actions > Action 1

Action 1
Plan to meet our housing needs

Achieve regional solutions to housing issues through regional housing working groups
Lead agent: DOI in partnership with local government and other key stakeholders
Many housing issues cross the boundaries of individual municipalities or apply across the broader metropolitan region. Current mechanisms that allow for dialogue on housing issues are not systematic or far-reaching enough to support ongoing communication between policy-makers, regulators, decision-makers and providers.

To ensure that planning for housing effectively implements the policy directions of Melbourne 2030, regional housing working groups will be set up.

Coordinated by the DOI, these working groups will include representatives from State and local government. Non-government agencies and key private-sector participants with an interest in housing, such as the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), will also be invited to take part. It is anticipated that the regional housing working groups will meet every 2–3 months until the regional issues have been worked through.

Develop local housing strategies, policies and controls
Lead agent: local government with DOI
A number of councils have already undertaken significant work in relation to housing and residential issues within their municipalities. Generally, these establish policies and controls to guide the form and design of residential development within municipalities.

Local housing strategies
Local housing strategies will identify and assess regional and local trends and factors that influence housing needs.

A local housing strategy would be expected to:

• identify demographic trends, including changes in household structure and composition
• identify housing market trends, including dwelling type, tenure and housing costs
  
• identify projected population and household increases and housing needs over at least a 30-year period having regard to broader regional trends and projections – this should include numbers and types of additional houses required
  
• outline strategies and implementation methods that:
  • will accommodate projected population and household increases and needs over an initial 15-year period
  • identify where and how the housing needs of projected populations and households will be met across the municipality in the context of the identified 30-year needs
    
  • identify locations for more intensive forms of housing, which should be:
    • in or around the Central Activities District
    • in or within easy walking distance of Principal or Major Activity Centres
    • in or beside Neighbourhood Activity Centres that are served by local public transport
    • abutting tram, train, light rail and bus routes that are part of the Principal Public Transport Network and close to Principal or Major Activity Centres
    • in or near major public transport modal interchanges that are not in Principal or Major Activity Centres
    • major redevelopment sites close to activity centres and well served by public transport
      
  • seek to ensure that a range of housing opportunities is available across the municipality to match the needs of projected populations
  • seek to ensure that an adequate supply and distribution of affordable housing is available
    within the municipality
    
• identify any future strategic work that is required to be undertaken in order to fully implement the strategy
• ensure that any existing or proposed controls would enable projected housing needs to be accommodated, particularly in locations identified for higher-density housing.

DOI will support councils by making information available on future housing needs, and by providing guidance on preparing local housing strategies. DOI will also work with councils to identify sites and locations with potential for higher-density housing.

Local policies and controls
Councils should develop and implement local policies and controls that reflect the directions and policies of Melbourne 2030 and build on the policies in the State Planning Policy Framework.

While the residential development provisions (ResCode) will apply in most residential areas, councils will be required to develop appropriate policies and controls for sites or locations identified for more intensive housing, and for areas identified as warranting special protection. These should utilise the tools made available in the Victoria Planning Provisions.

DOI will provide assistance to councils whose local housing strategies seek to implement policies and controls that support more intensive housing in and around activity centres and strategic redevelopment sites, and that increase the supply of affordable housing with good access to services and transport.

Monitor land supply
Lead agent: DOI with local government and other key agencies and stakeholders
DOI will set up a new program to monitor land supply for housing development that builds on Housing Melbourne.

A framework will be established to indicate where new housing demand will be met across the metropolitan area. The program will ensure that opportunities remain available to achieve a competitive housing market. It will identify and facilitate planning for large-scale development and redevelopment sites in metropolitan Melbourne, including greenfield sites.

Land supply data will be collected and updated for each municipality. An annual forum will be dedicated to this process. All key stakeholders in the development industry, including councils, developers, infrastructure agencies and industry groups such as the HIA and UDIA will take part.

Data collected will form the basis of a residential land supply and development program. This will provide a comprehensive picture of the timing and availability of both greenfield and redevelopment sites across the metropolitan area for each five-year period, up to a threshold of 15 years.

The data will be used to:

• monitor land supply and dwelling production across the metropolitan area
• identify and plan for the provision of physical and social infrastructure
• coordinate land release with service provision
• manage land supply to meet housing needs.

DOI will disseminate this data each year.

Incorporate environmental and neighbourhood principles into the residential subdivision provisions
Lead agent: DOI with key stakeholders
The subdivision provisions at Clause 56 of the Victoria Planning Provisions will be updated to give effect to the Neighbourhood Principles outlined within Melbourne 2030 (see Appendix 1). This will include ensuring that the provisions promote development and subdivisions that:

• are safe and secure
  
• are highly walkable and reduce travel demand and, in particular, car dependency
  
• are able to include or provide easy access to a range of facilities and services
  
• are created around a neighbourhood hub which gives a sense of place and coherence to the local community
  
• provide a range of usable open spaces
  
• are environmentally friendly, with a focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, conservation of species and habitats, and reduction of stormwater impacts
  
• provide for ducted broadband services
  
• incorporate water-sensitive design criteria.

Develop State guidelines for more intensive housing
Lead agent: DOI with key stakeholders
The residential development provisions (ResCode) provide design standards for managing incremental change, but there are times when more significant change is desirable and appropriate. More intensive residential development that is supported and encouraged by Melbourne 2030 must be subject to appropriate design and development standards.

DOI will also ensure that the Victoria Planning Provisions are responsive to the need to encourage well-designed higher-density developments in strategic locations.

DOI will work with local government and key stakeholders to develop guidelines for more intensive residential development. These guidelines will be incorporated into the Victoria Planning Provisions and include performance criteria and standards for safety, surveillance, noise, amenity and privacy.