The City of Port Phillip drafted a Housing Strategy Discussion Paper that will inform housing policy over the next 15 years. You can review the paper and provide feedback at  https://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/draft-housing-strategy

Council have spent a large amount of time and money on preparing the policy document, but it completely overstates the role of local government in the supply and design of housing.  

Council have allocated $365,00 to produce the glossy report and to seek feedback from residents but it glosses over the important fact that someone has to pay for all these things, and no attention has been given to prioritising between the many strategies. Questions not addressed include; what resources have COPP allocated to delivering the strategic goals and what measures will be put in place to measure impact and performance? Is this another report and policy document that will just sit on the shelf?  

The Draft Vision and Strategic Directions contains numerous ambitious goals that are not the role of local government. See table below:  

COPP have authority to issue planning and building permits and can release Council owned land for green spaces or social and affordable housing. Land in Fisherman’s Bend is privately owned and COPP must purchase land for parks and gardens.

It seems that this report is another self-serving exercise to justify council jobs and to create the perception that Council is doing more than it is.  It blurs the lines between state and federal government responsibilities, particularly with respect to social and affordable housing, where the Victorian and Australian governments have underperformed. 

Council allocated $200,000 in 2022-23 and $165,000 in 2023-24 to produce the Housing Strategy. Is that good value for money? In addition, the City Planning and Urban Design staff costs who are responsible for the Housing strategy are $3 million per year, noting they are responsible for other tasks such as updating the planning scheme, the design and engagement on urban projects such as Fishermans Bend, strategies, and policies.