By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has signalled it will support building high-density housing in the Werribee CBD, Williams Landing town centre and Wyndham Harbour.
The council has released a new version of its 2014 Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy, which was revised this month after community consultation, to include its stance on high-density housing, including units and apartments, across the three locations.
The council will also encourage smaller housing types, such as one and two-bedroom dwellings, within the three areas.
The strategy states that 92 per cent of dwellings in Wyndham have three or more bedrooms and that more diversity is needed.
Two sites are identified, 771 Ballan Road, Manor Lakes and 840 Sayers Road, Tarneit, as having the potential for high-density development, based on criteria including being within a 400 metre radius of a main bus route or train station.
According to the strategy, Wyndham’s population is expected to increase annually by an average of 3.4 per cent until 2036, and that 80,000 new dwellings would need to be built to cope with demand.
The strategy also found:
•In 2016 there were 75,281 dwellings in Wyndham.
•Council analysis has found that approximately 72,000 new dwellings could be built within Wyndham’s established areas.
•The estimated combined housing capacity of Wyndham’s greenfield areas (sites with an existing or proposed Precinct Structure Plan) stands at 93,000 dwellings.
Wyndham’s urban futures portfolio holder Cr Intaj Khan said the Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy was designed to guide the next 20 years of housing development in the municipality.
“With Wyndham’s population growing faster than almost any other municipality in Australia, this is one of the most important strategies for the future,” Cr Khan said.
The council will seek permission from the state government to amend the Wyndham Planning Scheme to implement the strategy, with further community consultation expected in October.
For information visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au.
