Promises without proof

Will the new homes be affordable? Will infrastructure upgrades keep pace?

The Government is promising young Victorians and families “locked out” of established suburbs a home where they want to live, close to family, close to where they grew up, and near existing jobs, services and infrastructure.

The promise of housing affordability is hollow. The Government has chosen a market-led approach in which developers decide when to build, at what density and at what price. Simply rezoning land for apartments does not make those apartments affordable.

There is no requirement for apartment developments to provide affordable homes for the very people the Government says it wants to help, including young people, essential workers and households on low to medium incomes.

More apartments do not automatically make high-demand suburbs affordable. People compete for homes where they most want to live. As long as established suburbs remain highly desirable, those who can afford to pay the most are likely to secure them. Nothing in the planning changes guarantees that the apartments built in these high-demand locations will be affordable.

Infrastructure upgrades remain uncertain, unplanned or unfunded. The focus is on dwelling construction rather than creating complete communities with jobs, better transport, open space and essential services.

The Government has refused to publicly release the Infrastructure Needs Assessments prepared for even the first 10 pilot Activity Centres, making it impossible for communities to independently assess whether the infrastructure required to support the proposed growth has been properly identified or funded.

Many of the Government’s promised outcomes are not guaranteed by the planning changes themselves.

The loss of liveability is certain. The promised benefits are not.

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