Victoria building more homes nationally

Victoria continues to build thousands more homes than any other state, with more than 60,000 home completions over the last 12 months. (Unsplash)

Victoria continues to build thousands more homes than any other state, with more than 60,000 home completions over the last 12 months – nearly 15,000 more homes than New South Wales.

ABS data released 9 October shows Victoria built 60,606 homes over the year – 7.5 percent increase year on year, while New South Wales built 46,573 homes – a 3.9 percent decline year on year.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said the statistics don’t lie – Victoria continues to build and approve thousands more homes than any other state.

“Areas with good transport connections shouldn’t be locked up, they should be opened up – that’s exactly why we’ve introduced draft housing targets for council areas and new planning controls for 10 pilot activity centres,” she said.

Earlier this month, the ABS also confirmed Victoria continues to set the national benchmark for home approvals – approving around 10,000 more homes than New South Wales and 18,000 more homes than Queensland.

These results come following the government’s landmark housing reforms released last year as part of the housing statement, plus a commitment to do even more over the coming months to get more homes built.

The statement introduced draft housing targets for councils, supported thousands of homes through new streamlined approval pathways, got ten activity centres underway, built thousands of social homes, introduced stronger protections for renters, and more.

Since the release, the Minister for Planning also intervened to fast-track homes to approve 10,700 homes in the past 12 months, a more than 100 percent increase on previous years.

The development facilitation program is an accelerated pathway that has also seen 16 developments approved, unlocking thousands of new homes.

While Victoria is number one for approving and building homes, there is no slow down in sight.

Over the coming months, the government will outline new reforms to build even more homes that are well serviced by transport, jobs, schools and services.

Ms Kilkenny said the government is not going to slow down, they’re going to double down .

“Over the next few months, we’re going to outline new key policy changes to build even more homes,” she said.