Brimbank council is planning to revamp its housing strategy to accommodate the changing needs of a diverse population.
The council adopted a housing and neighbourhood strategy report at its recent meeting which outlines the housing needs of existing and future residents. The report also provides opportunity for a broad mix of housing in the right locations.
The report revealed 80 per cent of Brimbank’s housing supply is separate houses, which does not match everyone’s housing needs. Building of more apartments and townhouses were suggested as answers to varying housing needs.
Cr Jae Papalia welcomed the new housing strategy and called upon the council to factor in different housing needs of Brimbank residents from diverse backgrounds.
“The Brimbank projected growth is synonymous with housing needs and neighbourhood character is imperative to take into consideration as it is important to note also that the neighbourhood character varies from one residential suburb to another,” she said.
Cr Papalia however lamented the housing growth constraints which she said will present challenges in delivering the additional 14 000 houses required in the immediate future to meet the need of a growing population.
The report singled out land contamination, Melbourne Airport, cultural sensitive areas, heritage sites, flooding, road and rail barriers as major constraints to Brimbank’s housing growth. The constraints are mainly found on the southern part of Brimbank.
Sunshine faces the most constraints due to industrial interfaces, and heritage sites.
Brimbank’s aging population is also eliciting a different kind of accommodation needs, which the new strategy intends to address.
