The Allan Labor Government has a secret plan to expand its high-rise activity centres from 60 to 210 locations, turning almost every train station in Melbourne into a 20-storey high-density housing zone.
New documents tabled in State Parliament have confirmed Labor's Department of Treasury and Finance has advised activity centres "should be expanded to an additional 150 train stations and tram line locations by 2028 to reach the 800,000 target".
Labor's activity centres sideline local residents from planning decisions and will force one-size-fits-all housing options on communities across Melbourne.
Furthermore, the independent Grattan Institute has also warned that only a fraction of the targeted homes are currently economically viable due to Victoria's burdensome property taxes and red tape.
In contrast, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals have a comprehensive plan to deliver more homes, more choice and greater affordability for all Victorians, including:
- Easing property taxes - lifting the stamp duty free threshold to $1 million for first homebuyers.
- Fast-tracking home building in existing, identified growth areas - clearing Labor's backlog of 27 Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) to get more homes built sooner.
- Rejuvenating Melbourne's CBD as a place to live and work - expanding the Capital City Zone (CCZ) to enable more development, housing and economic opportunity.
- Delivering liveable middle and outer suburbs - restoring the local voice to planning- supporting local voice to guide the future of neighbourhoods through community-led structure plans.
- Building new homes in our regional centres - working directly with local councils to support sustainable growth across regional Victoria.
Shadow Minister for Planning, David Southwick, said: "These documents confirm Labor has a secret plan to force high-rise housing into 150 more communities across Melbourne.
"Under Labor, Victoria has the highest property tax burden in the nation and fewer homes are being built now than a decade ago.
"Labor need to come clean with Victorians and release all advice and documents relating to these proposed high-density developments and where they intend to build them.
"In November, Victorians will have a clear choice between a Labor Government that has removed their voice or our Liberals and Nationals team who will put them back at the centre of planning decision in their community."
