Council
15 August, 2024
Councillors raise concerns over housing plan
CORANGAMITE Shire Council have lodged a submission slamming the Victorian Government’s plan for building 1300 new homes in Corangamite Shire before 2051.
The Plan for Victoria aims to create a blueprint to guide the state’s population growth and future planning.
The plan has identified the need for long-term, integrated strategic planning through to 2050 when the Victorian population is expected to surpass 10 million people, 20 per cent of which will live in regional Victoria.
To meet the growth, 2.24 million homes will need to be built by 2051, including 425,600 in the regions.
As part of the draft housing targets to accommodate population growth, it was identified 1300 new dwellings in Corangamite Shire would need to be delivered by 2051.
At the July Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors unanimously voted in favour of making a submission which slammed the plan as being city-centric and lacking on clarity and details.
Manager planning and building services Aaron Moyne, who authored the submission before council, said the plan included little data or analysis, and did not demonstrate what the housing targets mean and how they would apply to councils.
“The report before council acknowledged the need for growth and outlines Corangamite Shire is well-positioned to capitalise on future investment, growth and development opportunities,” he said.
“However, a one-size-fits-all approach is problematic and does not recognise the regional and metropolitan differences.”
As mover of the motion to lodge the submission, Cr Ruth Gstrein said the need for growth was evident but believed rural communities needed to be supported by regional plans.
“It’ll be important that the success of the plan will come down to an effective delivery in governance regime which recognises the unique and diverse landscapes and cityscapes of Victoria,” she said.
“Council should have the ability to implement actions at a local level, but not with the risk of cost shifting.
“A particular focus in our submission is the need to protect our agricultural land, the lack of strategic planning framework around renewable infrastructure, the need for a fit and safe road network and the impact of the windfall gains tax and rezoning land for housing.”
Cr Geraldine Conheady, as seconder of the motion, said there needed to be specific planning for rural and regional communities, with proper background information and explanation of what planning means for Corangamite.
“We all know there are very specific differences in characteristics of rural and regional Victoria from those in the metro areas, and they absolutely need to be recognised,” she said.
“It really is frustrating too that the state has provided such limited information and engagement in our communities to inform proper analysis in to constructive feedback
“I think we’ll find the final document will have a very significant impact in Corangamite if the planning framework fails to adequately consider the rural and regional context, and for that reason I think this submission is incredibly important for Corangamite.”
Cr Jo Beard also spoke in favour of the motion, saying the eight-page submission was “significant” but had been written on the back of the plan “having no consultation from regional areas and local government”.
“Often as rural Victorians, we’re an afterthought,” she said.
“This isn’t something I would normally say but I think when you talk to our constituents, we’re getting jack of it.
“We’re open for business, we’ve got capabilities in our communities to grow, we’ve got potential, so why are we not being included in the conversations right at the forefront.”