The City of Stonnington this week voted unanimously to advocate to the Victorian Government to work with councils to achieve its ambitious housing targets.
"Council mobilised years ago to meet the State Government-imposed growth targets and our plans are already sufficient to deliver a forecasted 12,950* dwellings needed to accommodate an additional 25,860* residents by 2036," said the Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris.
"Council's expert planners have sound strategies, with a strong evidence base of local knowledge that has been developed in close consultation with our community to deliver on growth targets.
"City of Stonnington is home to Capital Grand, the tallest residential tower approved by a Council in Melbourne outside of the CBD, which added an additional 394 dwellings across 50 stories when it opened in 2019.
"Earlier this month, Council approved the groundbreaking Jam Factory development on Chapel Street, which will deliver an additional 441 dwellings in the Chapel Street activity centre," said Cr Klisaris.
As part of its Housing Statement, the State Government in September announced a raft of changes to planning processes. These included the Planning Minister becoming the decision-maker for significant residential developments that include affordable housing.
"While we support the Government's desire to fast-track development to ease Victoria's housing crisis, this needs to be balanced with preserving the amenity and character of our city," said Cr Klisaris.
Stonnington's advocacy position will seek to ensure:
- Consultation with Council, as the community's elected representatives, on proposed reforms prior to their finalisation and gazettal
- Preserving third party appeal rights, ensuring the community's views and aspirations are taken into consideration
- Conducting robust and transparent financial impact analysis to ensure Council's ability to provide vital community infrastructure is not undermined, and
- Protecting the rights of Stonnington's vulnerable community members by minimising disruption and ensuring quality liveability and amenity outcomes in redeveloping Stonnington's public housing stock.
Over the past two financial years, Stonnington reviewed 3097 planning applications with 98 per cent approved. The majority of planning applications were approved by Council officers under delegation, with only three per cent going before Councillors at Council meetings.
As part of its advocacy position, Stonnington endorsed the government's commitment to redevelop high-rise public estates due to significant demand for additional social housing to support vulnerable members of the community.
