Housing target looms large for Bayside
A 70% increase in housing by 2051 could fundamentally alter the character of Bayside, dramatically compromising liveability.
Bayside City Council is deeply concerned regarding the 70% draft target announced by the Victorian Government.
Bayside Mayor, Councillor Fiona Stitfold said delivering this number of dwellings by 2051 without compromising the much loved, neighbourhood character of Bayside would be very challenging.
“Achieving a target of this magnitude would require dramatic change across Bayside,” Councillor Stitfold said.
“We are alarmed regarding the lack of transparency and are calling for the Victorian Government to provide Council with the evidence and data that has informed the target.”
“Bayside will work cooperatively with the Victorian Government however the process to date has not included effective engagement with either Council or the community.
“Any engagement on the draft target should also include details on how the Victorian Government will fund additional community facilities, services and infrastructure to accommodate an influx of new residents as this is a key concern of both Council and the community,” Councillor Stitfold said.
Bayside has a strong record of approving housing planning applications with approximately 85% within the state government’s requisite timeframe.
Bayside City Council has previously expressed concerns regarding building heights and density proposed in the Suburban Rail Loop Precinct Key Directions statement which focuses growth in the communities of Highett, Hampton East, Cheltenham and Pennydale in particular.
Achieving a 70% increase to housing would require growth across Bayside as well as in the SRL precinct. This growth would most likely occur along the Sandringham Railway Line which has received no state government investment via Level Crossing Removals.
“While the increase in the number of dwellings appears to be the simple answer to affordability and supply, the reality is that the current housing market is complex and impacted significantly by the state of the economy, supply chain issues, and State Government Taxation” Councillor Stitfold said.
Have your say on the draft housing target via the Victorian Government engagement website.
