Higher density housing in Melbourne’s middle suburbs doesn’t mean governments should ignore growth planning in Melbourne’s growing fringes, according to a new report from Interface Councils.
Interface councils are a group of 10 councils including Wyndham that form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne.
Recently, during Interface Week 2023, representatives from interface councils and state governments met to discuss planning issues and Dr Marcus Spiller launched his report “Melbourne’s growth management opportunity”.
Dr Spiller’s research shows that the state government’s proposed 70-30 housing commitment, which suggests 70 per cent of net additional housing be in the established parts of the metropolis and 30 per cent in greenfield areas, will have a “modest” impact on growth across Melbourne’s outer suburban councils.
“Even if the state government’s 70-30 objective is met, the Interface councils’ population is still expected to reach 2.5 million by 2036, compared to 2.7 million on current projections, a reduction of only 6 per cent,” he said.
“Melbourne’s growth management strategies for the outer suburbs will need to be a collaborative effort between governments for successful urban transformation.”
Dr Spiller also underscored the principle of people living in the Interface regions sharing the same economic opportunity as the rest of Melbourne.
“My research shows that residents on the fringe have limited economic opportunities compared to the average Melbournian. Addressing this gap is vital for unlocking the city’s full potential and promoting prosperity for all residents,” he said.
The report predicted that with a 70-30 approach, Wyndham would reach a population of 429,616 by 2036 or 463,393 without it.
Wyndham council declined to comment.
A state government spokesperson said housing is currently the most important issue in the state.
“That’s why we’re making sure there is a mix of social, affordable and market housing in established suburbs close to transport, jobs and essential services,” they said.
“We are delivering road and rail upgrades right across Melbourne’s west, with the $650 million Melton Line Upgrade set to allow bigger and better trains to run.
This investment builds on the delivery of more trains and more capacity for Wyndham Vale, Geelong and Warrnambool – with nine-car VLocity trains introduced last year to help boost capacity along the south-west corridor.”
