Victoria Gardens expansion fast-tracked, delivering over 800 new homes in Richmond
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The Allan Labor Government has given the green light to fast-track the expansion of Richmond’s Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, which will deliver 827 new homes as part of the redevelopment, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny announced that the $780 million expansion project will include six buildings featuring a mix of one to three-bedroom apartments, accommodating more people in established suburbs close to the CBD, jobs, services, and public transport.
“We’ve fast-tracked the Victoria Gardens expansion to ensure more than 800 homes can be built for Victorians right in the heart of Richmond in an area close to jobs, transport, services and shops,” Premier Allan said.
The project, submitted as part of the Labor Government’s Development Facilitation Program, will also extend and refurbish a section of the existing shopping centre into a new market hall, including retail and commercial floor space, as well as a new underground car park.
The Development Facilitation Program streamlines the planning process for priority projects that boost investment into Victoria’s economy, keep people in jobs, and create homes for Victorians. Seven residential projects delivering 1,113 homes have been fast-tracked under the program, with a further 10 applications currently under assessment, comprising more than 1,000 homes, and 101 projects in the pre-application phase, comprising more than 33,000 homes.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said, “We’re making good decisions faster, getting projects off the ground that will improve housing choice and get more homes built over the next decade.”
The Victoria Gardens redevelopment is expected to create approximately 390 jobs during construction and support more than 1,000 ongoing jobs. The project supports the Government’s landmark Housing Statement, which aims to create the conditions for 800,000 new homes to be built over the next decade in areas where people want to live.
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Victoria is leading the country in dwelling approvals, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting Victorian approvals rose by 3.2 per cent in March, followed by Western Australia at 1.5 per cent.