The Albanese Government is boosting Victoria's housing supply by investing in critical infrastructure that will unlock up to 3,149 more homes across the state.
Thanks to the Government's Housing Support Program, $35.8 million has been allocated to five projects to fast-track housing in regional and metropolitan growth areas.
Funding will be used on enabling infrastructure - such as roads, sewage and water - as well as supporting access to social housing and increasing housing supply.
At the Johnsons Road Residential Development in Mernda, the Government is investing $7.1 million to Whittlesea Council to enable the establishment of 35 new housing lots through new road and civil infrastructure.
Situated at the end of the Mernda train line in this growing outer suburb, the development is located near existing services and schools. The project will also include the urbanisation of Johnsons Road and the establishment of shared paths, public space and protection of existing mature trees.
Other Victorian projects receiving funding include:
- $11.3 million to upgrade sewer pump stations along the Calder Highway in Marong to enable more than 2,300 new home
- $7.9 million to unlock more than 600 new dwellings in Morwell in the Latrobe Valley
- $7.3 million to deliver enabling infrastructure in Ararat including roads, drainage, paths, streetlights and utilities for 90 new dwellings with 70 per cent allocated to social, community and affordable housing
- $2 million to sub-divide council-owned land on Burke street to provide an additional 35 housing sites to Beaufort.
This funding follows almost $250 million already allocated to Victoria for enabling infrastructure and social housing across the state as well as $6 million delivered to fast-track planning capability.
This is part of the Albanese Government's $32 billion Homes for Australia Plan to meet the ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next 5 years.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"A place to call home is not a luxury or a nice-to-have, but a fundamental need, and our Government is making this a reality for more Australians.
"From Ararat and Beaufort to here in Mernda, we are doing the essential work of delivering enabling infrastructure to get more homes built, faster.
"The Housing Support Program is a critical part of our work with states and territories to help them meet the ambitious national target to build 1.2 million new homes."
Quotes attributable to Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell:
"For a decade, local infrastructure was ignored by successive Liberal governments, but we are investing in our local communities when they wouldn't.
"We can't all rely on the bank of Mum and Dad. The Albanese Labor Government is making it easier for people to build or buy their own home in our community which is important for families, and especially our kids."
