High Street Activity Centre
The State Government has designated High Street as an Activity Centre, this means that there will be significant growth and development in that area. With a projected increase of 6,500 dwellings, we need to make sure that this growth is fair and equitable.
Appropriate Development Along High Street
Is there a housing crisis?
Yes.
Is building more houses going to help?
Kind of.
The State Government says that building more houses will help to bring down prices, but why would developers want to reduce their profits?
Just because developers can build more houses, doesn't mean they will. It's in their best interest to control the supply of housing to keep the prices high.
If they control the tap, why would they flood the market?
We can't rely on developers to solve our housing crisis. We need other solutions.
As your elected councillor, I will do everything to fight this housing crisis that we are all facing. Increasing supply is one (small) part of the solution, but more importantly we need to focus on delivering more social and affordable housing. I will advocate for State and Federal government to change the policies which artificially prop up housing prices.
We also need to make sure that when we do build housing that we also invest back into the community. Rather than making bold announcements that increase land value, if the State Government wants to build in Darebin, then they need to make it clear how they will help invest in community infrastructure, public open spaces, parks and green spaces, access to public transport, and social services. They could even invest in the Preston Market!