Cade Lucas
The state government’s plan to build 120,000 homes in Wyndham by mid-century must be accompanied by funding for supporting infrastructure, according to the municipality’s deputy mayor.
On Sunday, June 16, Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced the government’s proposed 2051 housing target, promising to build two million homes across metropolitan Melbourne and another 500,000 in the regions.
Under the draft plan, 120,000 of those homes would be built in Wyndham, the second highest target among local government areas in Melbourne.
Wyndham council’s own population forecast is for 500,000 to be living in the municipality by 2040.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Cr Josh Gilligan said Wyndham was struggling to provide infrastructure to meet this population forecast, let alone an even larger one.
“Wyndham has a liveability crisis. We’ve been pleading to the state to focus on funding the basic infrastructure and services now before adding on 120,000 more dwellings,” he said.
“Wyndham council is not properly funded by the state to handle the pressure of a 110 per cent increase in housing, with more than 600,000 living within our borders.”
Cr Gilligan criticised the lack of detail in the government’s announcement about the supporting infrastructure needed and how it would be funded.
“More housing means more roads, more community centres and libraries, maternal health services, schools, local parks and playgrounds, sports facilities, arts and cultural infrastructure, waste management and a whole range of other services and programs,” he said.
“A housing target that lacks any honest commitment to basic access to education, health and jobs is a pox on all our houses.”
In response, a spokesperson for the state government said details over infrastructure funding would be worked out in future consultations with councils.
“This is the start of a conversation we’ll be having with councils over the next few months to set final housing targets for the new plan for Victoria – a long-term vision for Victoria’s next 30 years being developed under our landmark housing statement,” the spokesperson said.
“The status quo is not an option – we need every council to work with us towards the same goal: more homes for Victorians in the right places.”
Final housing targets for each council area are expected to be released by the end of the year.
