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The state government has unveiled a range of new initiatives aimed at fostering the development of high-quality, affordable housing in Victoria.
Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, and member for Albert Park, Nina Taylor, have jointly unveiled the Victorian government’s Great Design Fast Track which will grant developers access to a fast-tracked pathway to accelerate the development of affordable and well-designed housing.
The program, developed by the Minister for Planning, will apply statewide and focus on townhouse and apartment projects of three to six storeys in height, in order to offer a “fast-tracked pathway” for buildings with homes that meet the test of “build quality, good design and sustainability”.
Speaking on the initiative, Minister Kilkenny said that “the community deserves affordable buildings that look great on the outside and feel solid as a rock on the inside”, adding that “our plan is for more grand designs but without the grand cost”.
The state government compared the new initiative to Victoria’s current Development Facilitation Program (DFP) for significant housing projects, with the new Fast Track intending to similarly offer developers confidence that “cost-sensitive projects won’t get stuck in an expensive state of limbo”.
The Victorian government stated that the new Fast Track will support architects and developers who take on higher-risk projects that focus on quality and sustainability, through reducing the “additional costs and delays” involved in these developments.
Expanding the State Design Book
To further spotlight housing designs which combine aesthetics with affordability, the Victorian government also announced that it will expand its State Design Book with the inclusion of high-quality developments that are already complete.
The new designs, set to be featured in the state’s design book set for completion by the end of 2024, will be open for public nomination, with the government seeking designs which encourage “sustainable, family friendly and accessible homes” and feature amenities such as “communal spaces and gardens”.
By including designs that have already been built and delivered, the government said that the design book will “establish best practice principles” which will “guide developers and give communities confidence about the long-term quality of new homes”.
Taylor pointed to the “many wonderful examples of good, solid and stunning buildings that are accessible for buyers and renters on different budgets” in stating “that’s exactly what we want more of”.
Securing government-owned land for ‘display homes’
Alongside these efforts, the government also revealed that it will secure government-owned land for a series of “demonstration” developments of high-quality homes that will be open for public viewing.
When outlining the expression of interest process for industry participation, the government emphasised that the showcased developments must demonstrate “high-quality design, livability and sustainability” and incorporate “modern construction methods”.
Once showcased, the demonstrator buildings will then become available for Victorians to purchase or rent.
“We have an incredible opportunity before us to renew our suburbs and streets with well-designed apartments and townhouses that are great for singles, families and downsizers – and which add to the architectural fabric of our state,” Minister Kilkenny said.
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