Latest news with #DevelopmentFacilitationProgram
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
The suburban towers being green-lit without community approval
A 17-storey community housing tower is set to transform Greensborough's skyline after the state government controversially pushed through the development and overrode council objections about the building's height and absence of family-friendly apartments. The Allan government has frequently wielded its strengthened powers to bypass local councils and fast-track developments, directly approving 11 major residential projects this year alone as it seeks to speed up new approvals and meet ambitious housing targets. This and other planning reforms centralising power have drawn the ire of councils, who argue community needs are not being adequately addressed. The Greensborough apartment project was green-lit through the government's Development Facilitation Program (DFP), which allows Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to bypass councils if a project makes a significant contribution to the economy or includes affordable housing, under changes made in September 2023. The minister can also waive mandatory planning requirements related to building height, setbacks and garden areas. Decisions made by the minister under the provisions cannot be appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Loading Kilkenny last month approved the tower, in Melbourne's north-east, which permits construction of more than 200 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The homes, to be built above a Savers shop on Para Road, will be operated and managed by a community housing provider offering rental homes to people on low to moderate incomes. 'This project will ensure hundreds of Victorians will be able to live close to the things that matter to them – living in walking distance to the train station, buses, parks, schools, shops and services,' Kilkenny said.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The suburban towers being green-lit without community approval
A 17-storey community housing tower is set to transform Greensborough's skyline after the state government controversially pushed through the development and overrode council objections about the building's height and absence of family-friendly apartments. The Allan government has frequently wielded its strengthened powers to bypass local councils and fast-track developments, directly approving 11 major residential projects this year alone as it seeks to speed up new approvals and meet ambitious housing targets. This and other planning reforms centralising power have drawn the ire of councils, who argue community needs are not being adequately addressed. The Greensborough apartment project was green-lit through the government's Development Facilitation Program (DFP), which allows Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to bypass councils if a project makes a significant contribution to the economy or includes affordable housing, under changes made in September 2023. The minister can also waive mandatory planning requirements related to building height, setbacks and garden areas. Decisions made by the minister under the provisions cannot be appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Loading Kilkenny last month approved the tower, in Melbourne's north-east, which permits construction of more than 200 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The homes, to be built above a Savers shop on Para Road, will be operated and managed by a community housing provider offering rental homes to people on low to moderate incomes. 'This project will ensure hundreds of Victorians will be able to live close to the things that matter to them – living in walking distance to the train station, buses, parks, schools, shops and services,' Kilkenny said.
Herald Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Parkville Hospital build given green light
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News. A new 11-storey hospital will be built in Melbourne's Parkville medical precinct after being approved by the state government. The private hospital — to be built across the road from the Royal Women's Hospital and close to the Royal Children's Hospital and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre — will provide more than 200 beds for Victorians. The Herald Sun can reveal the hospital, to be built on the corner of Flemington Rd and Errol St, will be fast-tracked for construction despite opposition from North Melbourne residents over its height, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. The $75m-plus project, given the green light through the government's 'Development Facilitation Program', will also be based near headquarters for the Australian Medical Association and Bio21 Institute. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said: 'We've given the green light for a new hospital to be built in Victoria's world-leading biomedical precinct. 'The new hospital is consistent with the plans for the Parkville precinct, an established research cluster on the doorstep of the CBD for education, health, professional and technical industries.' The new hospital is expected to include pathology, medical imaging, seven operating rooms, 10 ICU rooms, and hospital beds. Nearby residents late last year protested 11-storey height limits proposed for the site, then occupied by a Mercure Hotel. They also raised concerns about the application bypassing City of Melbourne planning consideration and going straight to the government for approval because it was worth more than $70m. But the government said it consulted with the community and council on the application and amendments were made accordingly. They included changes to building heights on different areas, setbacks to avoid overshadowing and better site access for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The revised height limit will see the new hospital built between five and 11 storeys in different sections. Like much of the world-class Parkville medical precinct, the hospital will be served by a train line for the first time when the Metro Tunnel opens later this year. The government said its Development Facilitation Program 'streamlines planning process for projects that boost investment, keep people in jobs and create more homes and facilities for Victorians.''
