Knox City Council has called for more transparent decision making on planning decisions that impact local communities in its submission to the Victorian Government's new Plan for Victoria.
The Victorian Government is developing a new plan for Victoria to replace Plan Melbourne, with a focus on delivering more homes near transport, jobs and services in our neighbourhoods. Separately, the Government has released draft housing targets that have been developed without consultation with local councils.
Knox City Council Mayor, Cr Jude Dwight said housing targets for Knox are unrealistic and the Plan for Victoria falls short of considering critical factors needed to manage the risks of such ambitious population growth.
"The draft housing target for Knox is an extra 47,000 dwellings by 2051. This is an almost 75% increase in housing and nearly three times the projected demand under the Victorian Government's own population and dwelling projections," said Cr Dwight.
"We believe the target is unrealistic for Knox based on historical rates of new dwellings and current housing supply constraints in Victoria.
"If we are going to support a vastly bigger population there is an urgent need to reform funding arrangements for the infrastructure needed in already established areas like Knox.
"There is also a desperate need to address transport challenges arising from a lack of fixed rail and inadequate bus services in Knox if we are going to accommodate significant additional housing and employment opportunities.
"Our best opportunity to deliver more housing and employment in Knox is developing Council owned land between Burwood Highway and Blind Creek adjacent to Westfield Knox.
"Yet the State Government recently introduced a new tax, the Windfall Gains Tax, which is a disincentive to providing housing at this location, completely at odds with its own Plan for Victoria.
"There is a missed opportunity also for the Government to increase the supply of social and affordable housing by introducing better controls and contributions opportunities in the Victorian planning system.
"The Government's Plan for Victoria must also reconcile the need for more housing with predicted climate change impacts.
"It should take into account local policies and initiatives including increasing tree canopy coverage and speed up its own work on flood mapping and environmentally sustainable development planning provisions to manage the impacts of urban development on liveability and environmental risk.
"Council also wants the Victorian Government to deliver on commitments to support the development of the Bayswater Business Precinct and the Wantirna Health Precinct to leverage our strengths in health care and innovation and facilitate workforce skills development," Cr Dwight said.
