Jacinta Allan outlines plan to turn Victoria into the ‘townhouse capital’ of Australia

Jacinta Allan has outlined a plan to make it easier for owners to build a second home on their land, vowing to turn the state into the “townhouse capital” of the country.

Victorians could be given the green light to subdivide their land without a building permit in a bid by the government to turn the state into the “townhouse capital” of Australia.

Premier Jacinta Allan has pledged to make it easier for homeowners to build two homes on one block as part of a series of reforms to fix the state’s housing crisis.

A review into Victoria’s planning and building systems will be launched by the government, with the aim of streamlining processes and incentivising more Victorians to subdivide their block.

Premier Jacinta Allan said it would become easier for people to build a second home on their block. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Possible changes include a fast tracked process for subdivision approvals, reducing the time frame from 60 days to 10, and criteria-based planning permit exemptions.

The requirement for a planning permit could also be scrapped altogether.

Ms Allan made the announcement during her speech at a Melbourne Press Club event on Thursday.

Her address at the event was the from a Victorian Premier in almost a decade.

“My government will make it easier than ever to build second home on your block, not a granny flat, a house,” she said.

Ms Allan said industry experts would be recruited to determine the details, with the reforms introduced in April next year.

“When we get the answers back in early 2025, we’ll have a plan to make Victoria the townhouse capital,” she said.

“The suburban townhouse is uniquely Australian.

“And it’s a top choice for people in their 30s trying to buy a home with a few bedrooms, and a backyard, and a carport – not too far out.”

The Allan government has revealed a plan to make Victoria the ‘townhouse capital’ of Australia.

Ms Allan also used her time on stage to rip into the opposition for a fifth day in a row.

She accused the Liberals of “blocking” housing as she pointed to a protest against new plans to build high rises in the suburbs, staged by Brighton MP James Newbury

“A million millennials watched the mask drop, in real time, on Church St, Brighton last Sunday morning,” she said.

“After that, I’m not sure how the Liberals can continue to call themselves the party of aspiration.”

Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cath Evans said simplifying subdivisions was a “common sense move” that would give property owners more options and help boost housing supply.

“We welcome the government’s pledge to consult on the best approach, which should aim to strip unnecessary red tape out of the local planning system,” she said.

Originally published as Jacinta Allan outlines plan to turn Victoria into the ‘townhouse capital’ of Australia