The Allan government’s latest push to force councils into complying with its grand housing plan is nothing short of an authoritarian overreach that threatens to strip local communities of their right to shape their own neighbourhoods.
With a target of 2.24 million new homes by 2051, the government has issued an ultimatum to councils: either fall in line and overhaul their planning processes, or have their powers taken away. This aggressive move disregards legitimate concerns about infrastructure, sustainability, and responsible urban planning, opting instead for a blunt-force approach to a complex issue.
Premier Jacinta Allan’s rhetoric makes it clear that the government is prepared to bulldoze over local councils, regardless of the consequences.
“It’s simple, work with us to unlock space for more homes or we’ll do it for you,”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan
An overt threat that undermines the fundamental principles of local governance. The reality is that councils are not opposing housing development for the sake of it; they are raising valid issues about the ability of suburban areas to absorb such massive growth without proper investment in infrastructure, transport, and essential services.
The government has already demonstrated its inconsistency, backtracking on previous high-rise development plans after public backlash. While now touting a more “balanced” approach, the revised plan still forces significant housing expansion into areas already struggling with overcrowded schools, gridlocked roads, and overstretched hospitals. If Victoria’s past housing growth is any indication, certain areas—like Melton, Wyndham, and Casey—will be expected to bear the brunt, while more affluent inner suburbs like Boroondara and Bayside get away with significantly lower growth rates. This is not equitable planning; it’s a politically convenient maneuver designed to minimize resistance from powerful interest groups while dumping the housing burden on communities least equipped to handle it.
The most glaring flaw in this entire scheme is the lack of comprehensive infrastructure planning. New housing alone does not make a community livable. Without significant investment in public transport, healthcare, schools, and road upgrades, these new developments risk becoming unmanageable urban sprawl rather than thriving, well-integrated communities. Forcing councils to approve large-scale developments without ensuring these critical services are in place is reckless governance at best and gross negligence at worst.
The government must abandon its coercive approach and engage in genuine consultation with local councils and communities. Stripping councils of their planning powers is a dangerous precedent that dismisses local expertise and ignores the unique needs of different areas. If the Allan government is truly committed to solving the housing crisis, it must prioritize responsible, sustainable growth over political grandstanding. Otherwise, it risks creating a future where Melbourne’s suburbs become overpopulated, under-resourced, and impossible to navigate.
