The suburbs set to be transformed by minister's sweeping powers
An analysis by The Age has found at least 40 more developments are in the pipeline for ministerial approval through the Development Facilitation Program, which allows Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to 'call in' and approve projects regardless of local opposition, including a proposed waste-to-energy-powered office tower in Cremorne.
The property industry has lauded the bolstered ministerial powers as a critical way to accelerate housing supply and investment, but councils are demanding an urgent review and claim there is no evidence it has sped up the construction of new homes.
Projects already approved under the program include an 18-storey, 400-home apartment building in Collingwood, which Yarra City Council had opposed.
Property Council Victoria executive director Cath Evans said the DFP was a 'critically important' pathway to accelerate housing approvals and address blockages in development and construction.
'While this has been a positive initiative, there remain significant overall delays in planning approvals and red tape, such as the lengthy wait times many in the industry are facing on essential infrastructure delivery, such as water and power,' she said.
According to the state government, its DFP pathway has approved 4802 homes since the launch of the Housing Statement in September 2023, when then-premier Daniel Andrews set a target of building 800,000 homes in Victoria over the next 10 years.
The government can use the bolstered program to fast-track developments and bypass local councils based on several criteria, including a significant economic contribution, inclusion of affordable housing, or high-quality design and sustainability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
2 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Mercedes-Benz EVs discounted by up to almost $70,000
It's no secret Mercedes-Benz's family of Electric Vehicle Architecture-based models – the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV – have failed to fire. Now, Mercedes-Benz is offering huge discounts across the range of curvaceous large and extra-large sedans and SUVs with savings of between $23,814 and $69,839 based on a Victorian postcode. The company has over 100 new vehicles listed in stock across these four model lines on its website, and a look at in-stock vehicles reveals the largest discounts can be had on the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 sedan and Mercedes-Benz EQS450 limousine. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mercedes-Benz. Click here to get a great deal. The smallest discounts are actually on the most expensive member of this EVA-based lineup, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS680. Here's a breakdown of what's currently on offer, as of the morning of August 13, with pricing based on a private buyer with a Victorian postcode. EQE300 SUV 12 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $106,501 to $106,804 Savings of $24,735 to $27,956 EQE300 sedan 1 vehicle in stock Drive-away price of $106,409 Saving of $23,814 EQE350 SUV 2 vehicles in stock Drive-away price of $107,246 Saving of $32,623 AMG EQE53 SUV 37 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $123,417 to $136,825 Savings of $52,912 to $56,828 AMG EQE53 4 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $134,551 to $142,239 Savings of $66,677 to $69,839 EQS450 3 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $128,719 to $133,893 Savings of $64,278 to $66,405 EQS450 SUV 36 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $126,927 to $140,128 Savings of $53,405 to $57,970 Maybach EQS680 12 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $333,457 to $419,211 Savings of $8786 to $9273 Of this quartet, the EQE SUV is by far the most popular. Mercedes-Benz has delivered 594 this year to the end of July, up 5.7 per cent on the same period last year. It's followed by the EQE (90, down 13.5 per cent), the EQS SUV (22, down 72.2 per cent) and the EQS (2, down 66.7 per cent). Mercedes-Benz removed the ability to configure a new EQE and EQS from its website last year, and while the model pages for these vehicles are still active, they stopped appearing in the vehicle range menu in March – something which the company has blamed on a technical issue. Now, the EQE SUV and EQS SUV can no longer be configured via the website. The EQE and EQS entered production in 2021, with their SUV counterparts following in 2022. All received styling dramatically different from equivalent combustion-powered Mercedes-Benz models, with more curvaceous – some would say blobby – styling. Responding to criticism, Mercedes-Benz gave the EQS a facelift in Europe, bringing a more conventional grille, but this has yet to be confirmed for our market. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz paused deliveries of all EVA-based models in the US due to slow sales. The German automaker has said it's moving to a 'coherent design language' across its portfolio, and is also ditching separate EQ nameplates.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Mercedes-Benz EVs discounted by up to almost $70,000
It's no secret Mercedes-Benz's family of Electric Vehicle Architecture-based models – the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV – have failed to fire. Now, Mercedes-Benz is offering huge discounts across the range of curvaceous large and extra-large sedans and SUVs with savings of between $23,814 and $69,839 based on a Victorian postcode. The company has over 100 new vehicles listed in stock across these four model lines on its website, and a look at in-stock vehicles reveals the largest discounts can be had on the Mercedes-AMG EQE53 sedan and Mercedes-Benz EQS450 limousine. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mercedes-Benz. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The smallest discounts are actually on the most expensive member of this EVA-based lineup, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS680. Here's a breakdown of what's currently on offer, as of the morning of August 13, with pricing based on a private buyer with a Victorian postcode. EQE300 SUV 12 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $106,501 to $106,804 Savings of $24,735 to $27,956 EQE300 sedan 1 vehicle in stock Drive-away price of $106,409 Saving of $23,814 EQE350 SUV 2 vehicles in stock Drive-away price of $107,246 Saving of $32,623 Supplied Credit: CarExpert AMG EQE53 SUV 37 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $123,417 to $136,825 Savings of $52,912 to $56,828 AMG EQE53 4 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $134,551 to $142,239 Savings of $66,677 to $69,839 EQS450 3 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $128,719 to $133,893 Savings of $64,278 to $66,405 Supplied Credit: CarExpert EQS450 SUV 36 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $126,927 to $140,128 Savings of $53,405 to $57,970 Maybach EQS680 12 vehicles in stock Drive-away prices of $333,457 to $419,211 Savings of $8786 to $9273 Of this quartet, the EQE SUV is by far the most popular. Mercedes-Benz has delivered 594 this year to the end of July, up 5.7 per cent on the same period last year. It's followed by the EQE (90, down 13.5 per cent), the EQS SUV (22, down 72.2 per cent) and the EQS (2, down 66.7 per cent). Mercedes-Benz removed the ability to configure a new EQE and EQS from its website last year, and while the model pages for these vehicles are still active, they stopped appearing in the vehicle range menu in March – something which the company has blamed on a technical issue. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Now, the EQE SUV and EQS SUV can no longer be configured via the website. The EQE and EQS entered production in 2021, with their SUV counterparts following in 2022. All received styling dramatically different from equivalent combustion-powered Mercedes-Benz models, with more curvaceous – some would say blobby – styling. Responding to criticism, Mercedes-Benz gave the EQS a facelift in Europe, bringing a more conventional grille, but this has yet to be confirmed for our market. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz paused deliveries of all EVA-based models in the US due to slow sales. The German automaker has said it's moving to a 'coherent design language' across its portfolio, and is also ditching separate EQ nameplates. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG MORE: Everything Mercedes-Maybach
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Simply can't do it': Allan government's proposed work form home law branded ‘political stunt' it does not have power to implement
The Allan government has been accused of attempting to con voters with a new work from home law it does not have the power to implement. Premier Jacinta Allan has announced plans to make the ability to work from home two days per week a legal right, with the legislation to be introduced ahead of the 2026 Victorian election. However, Australian Industry Group CEO Inness Willox branded the move a 'political stunt' designed to capitalise on the pro-work from home sentiments which helped deliver Labor its landslide election victory at the May federal election. "It's hard not to think that the eyes are firmly on November 2026 with the Victorian Government here and they're trying to basically suck people in,' he said. 'It isn't a serious exercise at all. It's a little bit of snake oil peddling by the Premier and her cabinet. They're offering a pipe dream to what they hope are gullible people... (who will think) they will be able to work from home two days a week." While Labor is yet to reveal the precise details of its proposal, the Victorian government is reportedly planning to implement its plan using the state's Equal Opportunity Act. According to Mr Willox, though, the Victorian government does not have the legal power to implement its proposal. 'The Victorian Government has no legal right to meddle in this. They have no authority to order private sector workers back to work. They just simply can't do it,' he said. 'Victoria ceded their powers and responsibilities to the Commonwealth in 1995 when it comes to workplace relations, so they've got nowhere to go here.' The Australian Industry Group CEO said work from home arrangements were routinely worked out between businesses and their workforces and there was no need for the government's proposal. 'Different workplaces have different arrangements depending on the needs of the business and that's what the Fair Work Commission works on by the federal law. That's what business is doing, that's what employees are doing," he said. 'This is a solution in search of a problem.' Mr Willox also claimed if the government were able to implement its proposal it would have 'enormous' consequences for Victorian workers and the Victorian economy, with businesses likely to move their operations to other states. 'Victoria is already the highest taxing state for business, it's the worst compliance state for business and what this sends out is a message that Victoria is not open for business, that it's closed for business,' he said. 'It's the last thing the state needs. It's the last thing the country needs.' Citing Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock's warning Australians' living standards were under threat from low productivity growth, Mr Willox said ideas like the Allan government's work from home proposal would make things worse. 'If this sort of decision goes ahead, things are just going to get worse,' he said. 'We're going to be talking about declining living standards, not about improving things. It's a huge risk here for the national economy, but particularly for Victoria. It's a bit of a sham and a shambles, quite frankly.'
