Grand designs: The types of homes the Victorian government wants to see more of

The Victorian government would take over planning controls for townhouses and apartments it deems to be of good design to slash approval times and encourage more “affordable architectural heritage”.

Under the statewide Great Designs Fast Track program to be announced on Sunday, the Allan government would also offer up some lots of state-owned land for the construction of display homes to show off the types of homes it wants to see more of. These properties would then be bought or rented by Victorians.

The Merri project in Northcote has been identified by the government as one of those apartment projects worthy of emulating across the state.Credit: Six Degrees Architecture

The new plan to cut approval times would give the planning minister control of applications for townhouses and apartment projects of three to six storeys if they demonstrate high-quality design, liveability, sustainability and include modern construction methods.

It would function like the existing development facilitation program, aimed at cutting application times from 12 to four months, announced as part of last September’s housing statement for significant housing projects with affordable homes.

Residents would retain the right to respond to planning applications under the Great Design Fast Track, but the government said the scheme would seek to cut the cost of good design and associated wait times for approvals.

The government has identified examples of what it says should be emulated around the state: they include the Merri four-storey apartment project by Six Degrees Architecture in Northcote; the Averi five-storey apartments in Hawthorn by architects Jackson Clements Burrows; and the six-storey Balfe Park Lane in Brunswick East from architect Kerstin Thompson.

The Balfe Park Lane project in Brunswick East.Credit: Kerstin Thompson

“The community deserves affordable buildings that look great on the outside and feel solid as a rock on the inside. Our plan is for more grand designs but without the grand cost,” Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said in a statement.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us to renew our suburbs and streets with well-designed apartments and townhouses that are great for singles, families and downsizers – and which add to the architectural fabric of our state.”

Which blocks of government land, and how many, could be used for the display homes is yet to be worked out. An expression of interest process for the industry would finalise details to be announced next year.

Under the separate Small Sites Pilot, the state has been offering surplus government land to developers for private residential development. Sunday’s announcement also expands on the Future Homes program, also announced last year, that offers developers off-the-shelf designs.

Averi apartments in Hawthorn.Credit: Hutchinson Builders

The Allan government has embarked on a week-long blitz announcing its expanded housing agenda, but was criticised on Saturday for failing to offer anything new for renters.

Consumer Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams revealed the new rental taskforce has handed out 45 fines valued at a combined figure of almost $450,000 for dodgy properties since it started its work in March.

She announced the Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) would begin its work in June next year to offer tenants an easier and free way to resolve issues with their landlord. But the portable bond scheme – moving a bond from one rental property to your next – won’t roll out until 2026, she said.

Both policies were promised 13 months ago under the housing statement.

The Greens accused the government of giving “breadcrumbs” to struggling tenants and renewed calls for a rent freeze.

Shadow consumer affairs spokesman Tim McCurdy said the government was overpromising and underdelivering again. “They love to roll things out with big fanfare, big statements, big headlines.”

Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge, who worked with the government on the reform, welcomed the detail for the new dispute resolution service.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.