Council is deeply concerned with the latest planning announcements released by the state government which do not address the central reasons for a housing shortage.
There are thousands of dwellings across the state which have approval and are not being built. This has nothing to do with decisions taken by councils or the roles played by their communities.
The reasons for housing shortages are factors entirely outside the control of council - interest rates, cost of materials, cost of labour, taxes and increasing pressure on housing demand with immigration levels. Neglect by governments over many years has caused this issue.
Attempting to scapegoat councils by removing their planning powers if they do not deliver housing numbers is simply disingenuous.
We know our community best, and we should continue to plan for and guide this growth.
We reject the state government's assertion that the council has "previously clamped down on home growth" in the municipality. For the government to suggest that while comparing Boroondara's growth to the Western suburbs is simply wrong.
Boroondara has developed plans to support the delivery of thousands of new dwellings in Camberwell Junction. Further work is happening to identify where thousands more well planned, well designed, and well-located homes can be built with infrastructure and services in place to support new residents.
We have had established neighbourhoods here for more than 150 years, with few large empty sites for major developments. Despite this Boroondara has grown, with tens of thousands more people moving here over the last 30 years - many of whom live in higher density housing.
It is important to remember that councils don't build houses. Developers build houses, but are sitting on thousands of granted planning permits across Melbourne.
The City of Boroondara will continue advocating for improvements to the government's proposed planning changes, but we are disappointed by the government's lack of meaningful engagement and consultation thus far in the process.
City of Boroondara's Mayor, Cr Sophie Torney, responded to the government media releases saying:
"We recognise that Melbourne is a growing city, and that we have a role to play supporting that growth, but I don't think the government's strong-arm approach is necessary.
"We are committed to delivering significant, yet responsible development here in Boroondara while maintaining the things that make our city a beautiful and desirable place to live, work, and raise a family.
"I don't think the premier's strong-arm approach is necessary. We are already delivering plans to build thousands of new homes across Boroondara.
"The government should focus on enacting changes to encourage builders to build where they already have permission rather than threatening councils."
