Frankston 14-Storey Affordable Plans Fast-Tracked

An affordable housing project in the south Melbourne suburb of Frankston has received fast-tracked approval.

The Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny greenlit the construction of 62 affordable homes after the project was fast-tracked through the State Government’s Development Facilitation Program. 

The 14-storey project being developed by property group CAAMCo will be owned and managed by a community housing provider. 

Plans were filed with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning in May 2024, although the project for the 829sq m site at 11 Beach Street were initially lodged with the City of Frankston Council in 2023. 

The development will contain a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units, with occupants benefitting from the proximity to Franston train station and amenities including the hospital, parks and the waterfront. 

According to the initial development application, all apartments will be accessible as per the Better Apartment Design Standards.

▲ The affordable housing project will have a void on the eighth storey as part of wind mitigation measures.

Architects Caleb Smith and James Harbard designed the tower, which will also include office space for the planned community housing provider.

The State Government has signalled its intention to fast-track developments with at least 10 per cent affordable housing that meet requirements through the Development Facilitation Program, in support of its Housing Statement, which is targeting 800,000 homes over the next decade.

In efforts to reach this target, Victoria has unlocked small public land lots for residential development, while affordable housing was prioritised in the Plan for Victoria roadmap this year, with 104 new homes already slated for Heidelberg West.

The state also introduced a case-management service for existing residential planning permit applications or amendments with a development value more than $10 million that have been “unreasonably delayed” more than six months.