Camberwell Junction Activity Centre: Community slams Allan govt over ‘mirage’ housing plan

A community in Melbourne’s inner-east has slammed the state government over a housing plan that would see more than 10,000 new homes built around a busy intersection.

Camberwell Junction Activity Centre plan has caused a stir in the local community, as residents demand further community consultation time. The dark purple areas are the catchment for 10,100 new houses to be built before 2051.

A state government plan to build more than 10,000 new homes at a busy Camberwell intersection has been slammed by locals as “morally wrong”.

Boroondara residents have banded together against Jacinta Allan’s government to oppose the Camberwell Junction Activity Centre plan, set to bring 10,100 new homes into the tree-lined suburb.

Leading the charge, Camberwell resident Julie Mulhauser said residents weren’t asking for a “veto power”, they just wanted to be provided with more information.

“The government didn’t offer an online survey or even a pop up,” she said.

“If this was a serious proposal, it would have all the information to explain it – it would have an action plan in the documentation. The government hasn’t even revealed what the planning tool would be.”

More than 10,000 new homes will be built in the Camberwell Junction catchment area, as part of a larger plan by the state government.

Ms Mulhauser said the plan was a “false promise” to people in need of affordable housing.

“This won’t deliver what it promises for people seeking a real answer,” she said.

“I think it’s morally wrong.”

The residents are supported by federal Kooyong MP Dr Monique Ryan, who said she had been contacted by “more than 100 residents” in just one week with concerns over the plan.

“There are common themes to the concerns” the teal MP said.

“The Allan government has failed to undertake impact assessment or strategic plans regarding the effect of the proposed activity centre on local infrastructure and amenity.”

Dr Ryan called for the community consultation period to be extended to allow further input from Camberwell residents.

“The state government has not been responsive to requests for further information regarding its plans, to extend the consultation period and to offer further opportunities for feedback,” she said.

“The residents of Camberwell, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Canterbury and Balwyn deserve better.”

Dr Ryan said she had been contacted by more than 100 residents over the course of a week to express their concerns about the planning proposal. Picture: Martin Ollman

Dr Ryan also called out Opposition Leader and local member John Pesutto for remaining silent on the plan throughout the consultation process.

In a letter seen by the Herald Sun, Dr Ryan said residents “lacked assurance” regarding the impacts of the state government’s proposal.

“(Residents) have not been provided with answers to their questions during the recent, very brief, consultation period,” she said.

Mr Pesutto said he had heard the concerns of his constituents and was open to hearing more.

“The Allan government’s plan to strip local voices from planning decisions has deeply concerned residents across Camberwell Junction and the state more broadly,” he said.

“This coming Sunday, I will be hosting a planning community forum and I look forward to continuing to work with local residents to achieve better outcomes for our community.”

Mr Pesutto said the Opposition “respected and will stand up for the rights of local residents to have a fair say in the future of their communities”.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto will hold a planning community forum on Sunday for concerned residents. Picture: Tony Gough

In the draft plan released in August, the government has proposed to “unlock” 60,000 new homes by 2051 to keep up with estimates around Melbourne’s population growth, with the 10,100 planned for Camberwell to be completed over a 30-year period.

Residents were given one month to consult with the state government on the plan.

Ms Mulhauser said even if the housing could be built immediately, it wouldn’t solve the housing crisis.

“You just have to look at local listings in the area for apartments now,” she said.

“They’re just as unaffordable as houses because of the land value.

“We do have a lot of people looking to the state government to provide shelter for them and this isn’t going to help – it is a mirage and morally wrong.”

A spokesperson from the City of Boroondara council said they were unable to comment on the proposal during the council election period.

A Victorian government spokesperson said “Camberwell should be opened up”.

“Victorians want more quality homes in areas close to jobs, transport and family – busy areas with heaps of transport options like Camberwell shouldn’t be locked up,” they said.

“Unlike to John Pesutto’s Liberal Party who try and block homes in their own electorates, we believe in ensuring Victorians can have the choice to live close to their work, close to their families, and close to transport.”