The Victorian Government has fast-tracked seven construction projects worth a combined $1 billion to assist in creating jobs and boosting the economy.
The projects, which have now all received planning approval, were facilitated by the State Government’s Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce.
The latest projects to receive planning permits include:
- A $291 million, two tower residential development at 938 Collins Street, Docklands, featuring 668 apartments
- A $250 million development at 31 Station Street Caulfield, which includes a build-to-rent scheme, affordable housing, a supermarket, retail and office space
- The $150 million Geelong Civic Precinct, including a six-storey commercial building to be used as the new civic centre for the City of Greater Geelong, and a twelve-storey commercial development to accommodate a further 900 full time workers
- A $200 million solar farm at Kennedys Creek, located 5km northeast of Benalla, which will generate 115MW, enough to power more than 50,000 households
- Two multi-storey apartment buildings at 103-109 and 115-117 Boundary Road in North Melbourne with retail and office space, valued at $41.2 million
- A $70 million development at 346-350 Macaulay Road Kensington, including six multi-level buildings comprising 426 dwellings and retail space
- A $110 million nine-story mixed use development at 285A Burke Road, Glen Iris, which is next to the Gardiner train station, comprising of eleven dwellings funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Victorian Government said Victorian jobs – both during and post construction – were a vital component of recovery from the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, said, “These projects help grow our building and development industry, they create jobs and they build the things Victorians need.”
On the Taskforce’s advice, the Victorian Planning Minister is also in the process of, where appropriate, calling in projects that have become stuck with council or VCAT. To date, he has called in six projects totaling $750 million.
Since March 2020, the Victorian Government has approved 91 new and amended planning permits for projects which have a combined development value of more than $6 billion.
Victorian Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, said, “Now more than ever, Victoria needs a strong building and development sector, and we’re making sure this industry can continue to thrive all over the state, despite the challenges of coronavirus.”
