State Goes Public with Plans for 10,000 Victorian Homes

New neighbourhoods in Melbourne’s north have been waved ahead and consultation on major residential precincts at Ballarat and Warrnambool opened as Victoria works to solve its housing undersupply.

Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny has signed off on the Greenvale North (Part 2) Precinct Structure Plan, which will deliver more than 300 homes for about 1000 residents.

The neighbourhood, 23km north of Melbourne’s CBD and covering 33ha, will connect with communities at Greenvale North and Craigieburn West, and includes new parks, community facilities, walking and cycling links and open space designed to reflect the area’s landscape and heritage.

Transport connections will also be strengthened, with recent upgrades to Mickleham Road easing congestion and further works to follow.

From October, a bus route will extend into Greenvale North with 183 new weekly services and peak frequencies of 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, draft Precinct Structure Plans for Ballarat and Warrnambool will this month open for exhibition detailing more than 10,000 homes—1500 jobs are expected to flow from the projects.

The Ballarat North plan comprises about 5600 homes two new government primary schools, a secondary school, two community centres, local sporting reserves, and retail and dining spaces.

The East of Aberline plan at Warrnambool will deliver 4500 homes, sporting reserves, a neighbourhood centre and 13ha of parkland.

Recent road improvements to Aberline and Horne roads will help connect the new communities to the city centre, train station and services, according to the state.

Consultation opens September 19 through the Engage Victoria website.

The Greenvale North (Part 2) plan is part of the government’s 10-year greenfields strategy, which will create space for 180,000 homes, contributing to the 2.24 million homes Victoria is projected to need by 2051.

Kilkenny said the work was about unlocking opportunities across the state to help more people into their own home.