Central Melbourne sees 1,000 apartments approved to avoid Sydney-like housing shortage

Another 1,000 apartments have been approved in central Melbourne suburbs, according to new information from Planning Minister Matthew Guy, who says that the last thing Victoria needs is a housing shortage like Sydney’s.

With 751 apartments in a four-building Footscray project, and a new tower on Southbank’s Haig Street offering 249 apartments, the investments total $270 million.

“The last thing we need in Victoria is a housing shortage like the one Sydney is experiencing,” said Guy.

“Whether planning for land supply in suburban growth areas, for urban renewal precincts or for central city high rise apartments, we need to keep building enough homes to keep the market affordable,” he said.

He noted that around 2,000 Melburnians will live in these apartments at some point, with the units being vital in meeting the needs of a growing population.

“With Victoria growing at a record rate, including record numbers of babies being born, it is important we cater for all kinds of housing growth.”

Plan Melbourne has identified Footscray and Southbank under the expanded Central City area for major population growth.

The Footscray project, 2 Hopkins Street, was rezoned for high density development in 2009 along with the Joseph Road Precinct. The four buildings planned for this development span from 16 to 28 storeys, and include ground floor retail.

Meanwhile, the Southbank Haig Street project will be 39 storeys, or 122 metres tall, and will be 100 metres from the Clarendon Street tram.

Around 1,890 construction jobs are expected.