Andrews government suggests struggling homebuyers to consider option of moving from Melbourne to regional Victoria

UPDATE: CAN’T afford a home in Melbourne? Homebuyers struggling to find an affordable home have been urged by the Andrews government to look at regional cities.

• Melbourne’s housing fail a harsh reality
• State needs to take control of housing market

STRUGGLING homebuyers have been urged by the Andrews government to consider moving to the country amid the housing affordability crisis.

Planning minister Richard Wynne said that Melburnians had several options to live the home ownership dream.

“Obviously we have opportunities clearly in our regional cities, we have opportunities in our growth corridors, our middle-ring suburbs, there are opportunities there for people who want to have a house-and-land package,” he said.

Following a big response to yesterday’s comments, a spokeswoman for Mr Wynne this morning clarified the Minister’s views, saying it was important for Victorians to have options for where to live, whether it be in houses or apartments in the city, the suburbs, on the fringe or in regional cities.

“There is no ‘urge’ from the Andrews Labor Government for struggling homebuyers to move to the country, rather, the government is planning for more housing across the state,” she said.

Mr Wynne said the exclusive Herald Sun report on housing affordability and supply confirmed the challenge Melbourne faced as it grew by about 100,000 people a year and could reach eight million by 2050.

The Australian Population Research Institute study said the city was building too many small apartments in the inner city and not enough family-friendly housing in established suburbs.

But Mr Wynne, who later this year will launch the revised urban blueprint, Plan Melbourne Refresh, said he had approved many two-and three-bedroom units.

Regional cities like Bendigo could be an option for young homebuyers.

New data released by Melbourne city council confirmed the inner-city apartment boom, with about 40,000 dwellings under construction or approved, and 30,000 awaiting approval.

A record number of house sales were also made on the urban fringe last year, but Urban Development Institute of Australia state chief executive Danni Addison warned prices there could sharply rise if the government slowed the release of land.

“We must diligently protect future homebuyers from being locked out of the housing market by making smart, equitable policy decisions now to keep downward pressure on house prices and maintain long-term supply of new housing,” Ms Addison said.

Committee for Melbourne CEO Martine Letts said continuing urban sprawl was not the answer, but the city had to get densification right, “which does not mean high-rise buildings in every suburb”.

“Densification is about making sure there is an appropriate housing mix, which must be accompanied by having the right infrastructure and support services in place, and ensuring that a sense of community is established through things like public open spaces as well as recreational facilities,” Ms Letts said.

Some 40,000 inner-city apartments are under construction or approved, with 30,000 awaiting approval.

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