February 13th, 2022New homes and jobs for Victoria

The State Government is providing new grants to local councils that will speed up the delivery of residential land − driving urban growth, jobs and development.

The Streamlining for Growth program is allocating more than $3.2 million to local councils facing population growth pressures or land shortages. This year, the program was focused on projects that will support Victoria’s economic recovery and address land supply shortages in regional Victoria and Melbourne’s growth areas.
Councils in regional Victoria will receive $2.18 million from this round of funding with 17 rural and regional councils receiving grants.
Colac Otway Shire will receive support to prepare a development plan for Deans Creek that will help meet Colac’s population growth target. The plan will facilitate rezoning to create new residential zoned land and subdivisions.
The program will also support Golden Plains Shire Council to provide a clear direction for growth in the municipality for the next 15 years. The project will unlock 7,000 housing lots for a projected new community of 21,000 people in this region, that lies between the two rapidly growing regional cities of Geelong and Ballarat.
Mansfield Shire Council will also receive funding to implement the Mansfield Commercial and Industrial Land Use Strategy. This will unlock employment investment and address an industrial land shortage in this key region whose local economy is still recovering from the 2019-20 bushfires.
The Labor Government has confirmed funding for a seventh year of Streamlining for Growth in 2022-23. Applications for the next round of grants will open later in 2022.
For a full list of grant recipients visit: vpa.vic.gov.au/streamlining-for-growth-program
Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said:
“We know regional Victoria is facing land supply and affordability pressures, which is why two thirds of this year’s funding was focused on the regions.”
“The funding will help local councils with staffing or financial support to unblocking or fast-track strategic planning projects to deliver new homes and jobs faster.”
“This program has a track record of delivering faster and more cost-effective permit-ready land for new homes and jobs across Victoria.”