Minister for Planning Richard Wynne yesterday announced amendments to local planning schemes across four sites – Boronia, Broadmeadows, Parkville and Wodonga – which will progress the pilot to the next stages.

“We need to build and invest in liveable communities and make the most of land we already have, and this pilot will create up to 100 new social housing homes to support our most vulnerable," Wynne said.

“These planning changes address feedback received from local communities, and will ensure existing vegetation and local neighbourhood character is protected.”

What will the Inclusionary Housing Pilot deliver?

The Inclusionary Housing Pilot will deliver up to 100 new social housing dwellings across six sites as well as additional private homes in areas close to services, jobs and transport.

The housing project also has planning changes to protect vegetation, ensure good traffic flow and maintain the character of local neighbourhoods.

The introduction of the new zones and overlays will preserve vegetation, ensure adequate traffic and parking management, provide public open space and ensure the proposed developments respond to the site and surrounding neighbourhood character.

Changes include a new 7,500 metre square park for the local Broadmeadows community, and protection of all habitat areas and significant trees on the Boronia development.

The Labor Government is rolling out more social housing in key areas across Victoria thanks to the Inclusionary Housing pilot program – fulfilling a key election commitment.

The pilot is part of the Labor Government’s housing strategy Homes for Victorians and is an innovative way of developing social and affordable housing to ensure vulnerable Victorians aren’t left behind.

The six sites, located in Boronia, Broadmeadows, Noble Park, Parkville, Reservoir and Wodonga, have been carefully selected and identified as surplus government land suitable for development.

Surplus government land is often located in areas close to transport and jobs, and is no longer needed by the government, so it can be put on the market for housing.

The Government Land Standing Advisory Committee has now provided their recommendations to the Minister about the proposed planning provision changes.

Proposals to develop the sites will be sought through an Expression of Interest process, and evaluated to make sure they deliver a considered mix of social housing, affordable housing and private housing.

The land will be developed in partnership with a community housing provider, in close consultation with government and the relevant local council.

To find out more about the Inclusionary Housing Pilot program, visit the Victorian Government website.

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