In February 2025, the Victorian Government released Plan for Victoria – a long-term plan to meet the needs of Victoria’s diverse and growing population.
Key directions
The plan focuses on five key strategic directions:
- Housing for all Victorians
- Accessible jobs and services
- Great places, suburbs and towns
- Sustainable environments
- Self-determination and caring for country
Housing targets
As part of the plan, housing targets have been set for every council to contribute to a statewide goal of 2.24 million new homes by 2051.
Brimbank’s target is 59,500 new dwellings.
Seventy percent of new housing will be directed into established areas, particularly well-connected locations near services and public transport known as activity centres.
In Brimbank, the Sunshine Metropolitan Activity Centre / Priority Precinct will be a major focus for new housing and key projects, including:
- Melbourne Airport Rail
- Sunshine Super Hub
- Precinct planning initiatives
Brimbank’s role
Council is working to identify where housing growth should occur across the municipality. This includes preparing a new Brimbank Activity Centre Strategy.
On 19 July 2024, Council requested that the Minister for Planning authorise preparation and exhibition of Amendment C239brim to implement the Brimbank Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy 2024. The Minister has not yet authorised this amendment.
Planning reforms
The Victorian Government has recently introduced planning reforms to support the delivery of the Plan for Victoria.
- Applies to townhouses and apartment buildings up to three storeys
- Introduces a ‘deemed to comply’ pathway to speed up decisions and provide certainty for applicants
- Limits opportunities for objectors to seek a review at VCAT when standards are met
- Reduces Council’s ability to apply stronger sustainability and neighbourhood character standards
New planning controls for activity centres
- Aim to boost housing in well-connected activity centres near jobs, services and transport
- Include new tools such as the Built Form Overlay, Housing Choice and Transport Zone, and Precinct Zone
- Currently apply only to 10 ‘Pilot’ Activity Centres across Melbourne (not in Brimbank)
- Provides a streamlined approval process led by the Victorian Government
- Applies to apartment and townhouse projects (two to eight storeys, eight or more homes)
- Eligible projects must be located near public transport, jobs and services, and meet set design principles
More information
For questions about the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code, contact Brimbank Council’s City Planning Department on (03) 9249 4000 or email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
For questions about the Great Design Fast Track process, contact the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning.
