Media coverage

Activity Centre Program & Planning Changes

Articles about the rollout, expansion and implementation of the Activity Centre Program and planning changes in Victoria.

Bayside Council takes Planning Minister to Supreme Court over high-rise tower plans. Herald Sun – 23 June 2026 (Read)

This article reports on Bayside City Council’s Supreme Court challenge seeking access to the advice and modelling underpinning the Victorian Government’s Activity Centre Program. It examines broader questions of transparency, accountability and the evidence informing the planning reforms.
Secret departmental plan for radical expansion of suburban high-rise push. The Age – 3 June 2026 (Read)

This article examines Treasury briefing papers proposing a significant expansion of Victoria’s Activity Centre Program from 60 to approximately 210 locations, potentially turning almost every train station in Melbourne into a high-density housing zone. It also considers questions regarding the economic viability of the Government’s housing strategy.
Fitzroy and Collingwood’s modest tower limits revealed in planning overhaul. The Age – 14 May 2026 (Read)

This article outlines the final two Activity Centres proposed for inner Melbourne and notes that, unlike many middle-ring suburbs, the draft maps are based largely on existing council planning. It also highlights the lower proposed building heights compared with many middle-ring Activity Centres, including Kew, Caulfield and Frankston, while discussing questions about development feasibility and the Government’s housing projections.
Angry residents are speaking out over a proposed mega apartment and retail development in Kew. 9 News Melbourne – 10 May 2026 (Watch)
‘Bulldozed’: Kew residents fight 18-storey tower that exceeds new height limits. The Age – 10 May 2026 (Read)

This article examines a proposed 18-storey development at the former Leo’s supermarket site in Kew, which exceeds the recently gazetted 16-storey height limit for the Activity Centre. It explores community concerns about building height, overshadowing, traffic and the use of the Development Facilitation Program to bypass council approval.
Liveable Victoria launched to campaign against Labor’s planning reforms. ABC News – 4 May 2026 (Read)

This article reports on the launch of Liveable Victoria, a statewide alliance of community groups opposing the Victorian Government’s planning reforms. It also outlines the Government’s rationale for the reforms and presents perspectives from planning experts and other stakeholders.
Boroondara council slams state high-rise plan it warns will ‘decimate’ neighbourhoods. Herald Sun – 24 March 2026 (Read)

This article reports on Boroondara Council’s response to the Activity Centre Program, including concerns about infrastructure funding, community consultation and housing delivery. It also explores whether planning approvals are the primary constraint on new housing construction.
The 20-storey divide: Melbourne’s high-density push stalled by numbers that don’t stack up. The Age – 22 February 2026 (Read)

This article examines concerns that the Government’s housing targets may not be achievable under current market conditions. It explores analysis suggesting that construction costs, taxes and development feasibility, rather than planning controls, are major constraints on housing delivery.
Towers up to 20 storeys slated for middle-ring suburbs as new activity centre maps released. The Age – 11 February 2026 (Read)

This article outlines the draft Activity Centre maps for Melbourne’s remaining train and tram precincts, including proposed building heights and residential catchments. It also reports on community consultation and the growing political focus on the changes.
The great housing con is turning Melbourne into an Asian-style megacity. August 7, 2024, The Age. Read

This opinion article argues that Victoria’s planning reforms will fundamentally reshape Melbourne’s established suburbs. It examines the authors’ concerns about planning deregulation, housing supply, infrastructure, heritage protection and the loss of community participation.

Affordable Housing

Articles examining affordable housing policies, housing affordability and broader solutions to Australia’s housing challenges.

The surprising effect on house prices of building 1000 new apartments. The Age – 24 June 2026 (Read)

This article examines research suggesting that building large numbers of high-rise apartments does not necessarily reduce detached house prices. It reports that suburbs with more than 1,000 new apartments experienced stronger house price growth than suburbs with fewer apartment developments.
Luxury apartments greenlit under affordable housing scheme. ABC News – 20 May 2026 (Watch)
Contentious developments receiving fast-tracked approval under affordable housing pathway. ABC News – 20 May 2026 (Read)

This article examines the Development Facilitation Program’s affordable housing pathway, reporting that only around 59 affordable dwellings were guaranteed from approximately 800 homes approved in Boroondara. It also explores concerns about cash contributions in lieu of on-site affordable housing and fast-tracked approvals.
Almost 250 affordable homes scrapped as developer permitted to slash commitments. The Age – 24 April 2026 (Read)

This article reports that a developer was permitted to reduce the number of affordable homes in two fast-tracked projects from 373 to 125 after planning approval had been granted. It examines questions about height concessions, affordable housing commitments and the Development Facilitation Program.
Grattan: Radical plan to revamp nation’s capital cities – and shave $100,000 off house prices. The Sydney Morning Herald – 5 November 2025 (Read)

This article outlines a Grattan Institute proposal to allow three-storey townhouses and apartments across Australia’s capital cities, with taller buildings around transport hubs. It reports Grattan Institute estimates that the reforms could deliver an additional 67,000 homes annually while reducing rents and house prices.
High prices demolish towering ambitions. Herald Sun – 4 October 2025 (Read)
Developers to cop new charge as experts warn apartment prices ‘must rise’ for towers to soar. October 22, 2024, The Age. Read

This article reports on the Victorian Government’s proposed infrastructure contribution scheme for Activity Centres. It also examines industry analysis suggesting apartment prices may need to increase by around 15 per cent before many new high-density developments become financially viable.
Times are tough for investors trying to offload units and apartments in Melbourne. December 18, 2024. Watch

Alan Kohler and the ABC ran a series across the network about housing supply and affordability in February 2025. It argued that medium and high rise in “middle suburbs” faces challenges. Ultimately he acknowledges that house prices need to decline for housing to become more affordable.

Building up or out are potential solutions to Australia’s housing crisis but both come with problems. 10 Feb 2025, ABC. Read

This article examines the challenges of increasing housing supply through both outer suburban expansion and higher-density development in established suburbs. It includes perspectives from community representatives, planners and developers on housing choice, affordability and infrastructure.
Alan Kohler investigates Australia’s housing crisis and what can be done to fix it. 10 Feb 2025, ABC. Watch
As Australia’s largest cities densify, family-friendly apartments are in short supply. 13 Feb 2025, ABC. Read

This article examines whether Australia’s growing apartment stock is designed for long-term family living. It explores the shortage of larger apartments, apartment design standards and the financial challenges of delivering family-friendly housing.
Australia’s housing crisis is driven by lip-service, hypocrisy and an investment culture. 10 Feb 2025, ABC. Read

This opinion article argues that Australia’s housing affordability crisis is driven by long-term policy settings that have encouraged housing as an investment asset rather than a place to live. It also questions whether current housing targets and suburban densification alone will improve affordability.
A solution to the housing crisis could be just years away. Can we rely on politics to deliver it? 11 Feb 2025, ABC. Read

This article examines the major factors contributing to Australia’s housing affordability crisis and the range of policy responses proposed to address it. It explores differing perspectives on housing supply, planning reform, taxation, migration and government housing policies.
Instagram: Summary of Alan Kohler’s views. 11 Feb 2025, ABC. Watch

Housing Delivery & Feasibility

Articles examining whether planning reforms are translating into new housing and whether developments remain economically viable.

‘Most projects do not stack up’: Report reveals cost of housing plan for Melb’s middle suburbs. Herald Sun – 21 May 2026 (Read)

This article examines the gap between planning approvals and housing delivery, reporting that only 13.5 per cent of approved multi-dwelling developments in Boroondara since 2019 have been completed. It explores how construction costs, taxes, levies, labour shortages and infrastructure constraints are preventing many approved projects from proceeding.
Councils tell the state to look in the mirror over stalled housing projects. The Age – 19 April 2026 (Read)

This article examines councils’ response to claims they are delaying housing delivery. It reports that councils are approving most planning applications while arguing that market conditions, financing, taxation and construction costs are the primary reasons many approved developments remain unbuilt.
The Allan government is already spruiking its housing success. Here’s what the data says. December 9, 2024, The Age. Read

This article examines whether early housing data supports the Victorian Government’s housing targets. It reports that industry representatives argued many recently completed homes pre-dated the Housing Statement and highlighted ongoing challenges including construction costs, financing and market conditions.
Developers aren’t building apartments – and it’s getting worse. Nov 14, 2024, Financial Review. Read
I’m a developer. Here’s why Jacinta Allan’s high-rise plan won’t get off the ground. October 23, 2024, The Age. Read

This opinion article argues that high-rise apartment development in Activity Centres is currently uneconomic under prevailing market conditions. It examines construction costs, buyer preferences and the financial challenges of delivering affordable apartments at scale.