Why the state government’s 70:30 target is failing to curb urban sprawl
Melbourne is struggling to meet its 70:30 housing target, with nearly half of all new housing approvals still occurring in outer growth corridors rather than established suburbs. Despite government efforts to fast-track planning in existing areas, urban sprawl continues to dominate the housing pipeline.
Why it matters
The failure to curb urban sprawl impacts infrastructure planning, housing affordability, and the accessibility of jobs and services for residents.
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Share A A A Almost half of Melbourne’s new housing approvals are concentrated in the city’s outer growth corridors, despite Labor’s push to prioritise building new homes in established suburbs and curb urban sprawl.
There were 20,252 dwellings approved across Melbourne’s seven growth-area municipalities in the last financial year, accounting for 48 per cent of all metropolitan approvals, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Almost half of Melbourne’s new housing approvals are concentrated in growth corridors in the city’s outer suburbs. Joe Armao Labor wants at least 70 per cent of new housing to be delivered in established areas , with just 30 per cent in greenfield growth areas. The policy is designed to put more homes closer to existing jobs, public transport and services.
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