The Allan Labor Government’s bold housing reforms are igniting interest from industry partners looking to be part of Victoria’s nation-leading plans to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade.

In the last fortnight alone, the Labor Government has received more than 100 enquiries from industry ready to roll up their sleeves and build thousands of new homes under an expanded Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

As part of Victoria’s Housing Statement, the expanded DFP will make sure big decisions are made faster – with the Minister for Planning now the decision maker for significant residential developments that include affordable housing.

The Government will streamline the planning process for medium to high density residential developments that meet the set criteria: construction costs worth at least $50 million in Melbourne or $15 million in regional Victoria, and delivering at least 10 per cent affordable housing.

It’ll include new build-to-rent projects, and it’ll cut application timeframes for these types of projects from more than 12 months down to four.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny today visited Nightingale Village in Brunswick, where former industrial land has been transformed into quality, sustainable housing.

The village brought together leading Melbourne architects to develop a mix of housing and retail, including a 20 per cent allocation of housing to affordable housing providers.

Just two blocks north, another $70 million nine-storey Nightingale development at 215-219 Albion Street, Brunswick, is now complete – next to Anstey Station and close to jobs and public services. The former Minister for Planning approved the decision after it was taken to VCAT.

Residents at these new developments will have access to better transport connections with the Labor Government removing eight more level crossings on the Upfield Line – making local roads safer, unlocking open space and clearing the way for more trains to run more often when the Metro Tunnel opens.

There is a significant need for more housing choice in established suburbs like Brunswick, where good developments have faced planning uncertainty from decisions being overturned or timeframes being blown out.

Through its Affordability Partnership with industry, the Labor Government will help stimulate investment in the private market to build more affordable homes for the Victorians who need them most.