‘Inconsistent with neighbourhood character’: Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny opposed developments in own seat

The Allan government minister forcing high-rise towers into suburbs such as Ringwood, Malvern and Brighton has opposed developments in her own seat because they were ‘inconsistent with neighbourhood character’.

Sonya Kilkenny opposing a 14-unit housing development in Seaford in 2021. Picture: Facebook

The minister responsible for forcing high rise developments into Melbourne’s suburbs previously opposed a series of housing projects in her own electorate because they were inconsistent with “neighbourhood character”.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s years-long track record opposing high density development in her own backyard has been revealed.

Despite pushing for apartment towers of up to 20 storeys in suburbs such as Brighton, Malvern and Ringwood, the long-time member for the outer southeastern seat of Carrum previously opposed developments — some just three storeys high — in her own area.

In a 2021 Facebook post, Ms Kilkenny can be seen giving a thumbs down as she stands in front of a proposed residential development site in Seaford, opposing a plan for 14 extra homes because it was “inconsistent with neighbourhood character”.

“It is entirely inconsistent with neighbourhood character, the local ecology and landscape, and Indigenous heritage,” she wrote, attaching a link to oppose the development.

“It will set a really bad precedent.”

Ms Kilkenny has been blaming the opposition for “blocking” housing over the past decade. Picture: Ian Currie

Ms Kilkenny, who was not planning minister at the time, later supported the three-storey development after it was reduced to just four homes.

In 2018, Ms Kilkenny also opposed two 10-storey residential towers and a housing development just three storeys high in Patterson Lakes that were set to include 236 homes.

In a letter to council in October 2018, Ms Kilkenny called for the application to be rejected.

“I indicated previously that the scale, scope and density of the proposed developments is entirely out of context with, and will very likely have negative impacts on, the local amenity and neighbourhood character,” she wrote.

“Further, the additional traffic movements associated with the proposed developments will likely have significant impacts on pedestrian and vehicle safety in the area and congestion.”

As part of the government’s housing statement, Ms Kilkenny stripped local councils of planning powers, ultimately limiting community opposition to development, in preparation to roll out 60 activity centres with scaled up height limits.

But during a 2015 debate in parliament regarding a planning amendment, Ms Kilkenny said it was “imperative” that the government listens to the voices of locals.

“Unlike those opposite, the Andrews Labor government recognises that community and

public participation is important and absolutely central to planning law and policy in

Victoria,” she said.

“Those best placed to understand the social impact on their communities are those who live and work in them.”

Locals protest against the plans for high rise towers near Middle Brighton. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Ms Kilkenny and Premier Jacinta Allan launched a 12-day rollout of new housing reforms in Brighton last month, prompting major backlash including a protest led by local member James Newbury.

The pair were quick to label Mr Newbury and the Liberals “blockers” while claiming the government were “builders” – a message the government has pushed for the past two weeks.

Mr Newbury, who has been inundated with concerns from locals, called Ms Kilkenny a “total hypocrite”.

Opposition home ownership and housing affordability spokesman Evan Mulholland said Labor should “go find a mirror” if they want to blame someone for the housing crisis.

“They immaturely label communities as blockers, yet Labor MP’s have consistently over 10 years opposed and intervened in developments in their own electorates, and now shamefully deny residents across the state a say in their own communities,” he said.

But Ms Kilkenny told the Herald Sun she now wanted to build more homes in every corner of the state, including in her electorate.

“While the Liberals continue to block homes in their backyard – I want more homes and more opportunities for Victorians, including in my own electorate – that’s why I’m supporting significant increases in the number of homes in my electorate as part of new housing targets,” she said.

A government spokesman said Kingston Council and Frankston Council, in Ms Kilkenny’s electorate, had been given the target of increasing home approvals by 85 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively by 2051.