Hume City Council’s Housing Diversity Strategy June 2020

Introduction

The Hume City Council Housing Diversity Strategy (2020) is a forward-looking policy document designed to address the growing and evolving housing needs of the municipality. Hume City, located in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, is experiencing rapid population growth, demographic shifts, and increasing demand for varied housing types. The strategy aims to ensure that housing supply aligns with community needs, promotes affordability, supports sustainable development, and fosters inclusive neighborhoods.

This document outlines the council’s approach to managing housing diversity by considering factors such as population growth, economic conditions, infrastructure capacity, and environmental sustainability. The strategy also aligns with broader state and regional planning policies, including *Plan Melbourne 2017-2050* and the Hume Planning Scheme.

Key Objectives of the Strategy

The Housing Diversity Strategy is built around several core objectives:

1. Promoting a Mix of Housing Types – Encouraging diverse housing options, including apartments, townhouses, single dwellings, and affordable housing, to cater to different household sizes, income levels, and lifestyles.

2. Supporting Affordable and Social Housing – Addressing housing stress by increasing the availability of affordable and social housing options.

3. Ensuring Sustainable Development – Integrating environmental considerations, such as energy efficiency, green spaces, and climate resilience, into housing development.

4. Enhancing Liveability and Community Infrastructure – Ensuring that new housing developments are supported by adequate transport, schools, healthcare, and recreational facilities.

5. Fostering Inclusive Communities – Creating neighborhoods that are socially cohesive, accessible, and culturally diverse.

Hume’s Housing Context

Hume City is one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing municipalities, with a population expected to exceed 300,000 by 2041. This growth brings both opportunities and challenges:

• Demographic Changes: The area has a young population, with many families and a culturally diverse community, including significant migrant populations.

• Economic Factors: While Hume has strong employment hubs (e.g., Melbourne Airport, freight and logistics sectors), income disparities exist, leading to housing affordability pressures.

• Existing Housing Stock: Predominantly low-density suburban housing, but demand is increasing for medium-density options (e.g., townhouses and apartments).

• Infrastructure Demands: Rapid growth has placed pressure on roads, public transport, schools, and health services, necessitating coordinated planning.

The strategy acknowledges that without proactive planning, housing shortages, affordability crises, and urban sprawl could worsen.

Strategic Directions

To address these challenges, the strategy outlines several key directions:

1. Delivering a Diverse Housing Supply

Hume aims to move beyond traditional detached housing by encouraging a broader mix of dwellings, including:

• Medium-density housing (e.g., townhouses, duplexes) in suitable locations.

• Higher-density developments (e.g., apartments) near activity centers and transport hubs.

• Aged-care and disability-friendly housing to support an aging population.

• Granny flats and secondary dwellings to provide flexible living options.

The council will use zoning reforms, developer incentives, and partnerships with housing providers to facilitate this diversity.

2. Increasing Affordable and Social Housing

Hume faces significant affordability challenges, with many households experiencing rental stress or struggling to enter the property market. The strategy proposes:

• Mandating affordable housing contributions in new developments (e.g., requiring a percentage of affordable units in large projects).

• Partnering with community housing providers to expand social housing stock.

• Advocating for state and federal funding to support housing initiatives.

3. Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Housing

With climate change posing risks (e.g., heatwaves, flooding), the strategy emphasizes:

• Energy-efficient building designs (solar panels, insulation, water-saving features).

• Tree canopy retention and expansion to mitigate urban heat.

• Flood-resilient construction in high-risk areas.

4. Strengthening Neighborhood Character

While encouraging density, the council also seeks to preserve local identity by:

• Design guidelines to ensure new developments complement existing streetscapes.

• Protecting heritage areas and significant landscapes.

• Engaging communities in planning decisions to reflect their preferences.

5. Supporting Infrastructure and Services

Housing growth must be matched with infrastructure investment. Key actions include:

• Transport upgrades (better roads, public transport, cycling paths).

• Schools and childcare facilities in high-growth areas.

• Health and community services to meet rising demand.

Implementation and Monitoring

The strategy is not just a vision but includes concrete steps for execution:

• Planning Scheme Amendments: Updating zoning laws to facilitate higher-density housing in appropriate areas.

• Developer Contributions: Ensuring developers help fund necessary infrastructure.

• Community Engagement: Ongoing consultation with residents to refine policies.

• Partnerships: Collaborating with state agencies, developers, and non-profits.

• Regular Reviews: Monitoring housing trends and adjusting policies as needed.

Conclusion

The Hume City Council Housing Diversity Strategy (2020) is a comprehensive roadmap to manage growth while ensuring housing remains accessible, sustainable, and suited to diverse needs. By balancing density with liveability, affordability with development, and growth with infrastructure, Hume aims to create a thriving, inclusive community for future generations.

The success of the strategy depends on strong implementation, continued stakeholder collaboration, and adaptability to changing circumstances—ensuring that Hume remains a great place to live for all its residents.