Wednesday 20 September 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Planning solutions needed for ageing population
The Retirement Living Council has welcomed the release of the Victorian Government’s Housing Statement, which outlines a plan to deliver millions of additional homes across Victoria – and retirement communities can be part of the solution.
RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said this plan was a positive step for Victoria that intends to deliver much needed housing for Victorians.
“Ambitious plans are important, and so are effective and efficient planning systems that provide affordable homes for those who need them,” Mr Gannon said.
“We know the average price of a 2-bedroom retirement unit in metropolitan Melbourne is 51 per cent cheaper than the median house price in similar areas.
“But the problem isn’t affordability, it’s supply.
“If this ambitious plan from the Victorian Government puts an end to retirement operators waiting up to five years for development applications to be approved, then this is great news for industry.
“For too long, planning systems have held up supply and unnecessarily driven up costs for developers through extensive delays.
“Given the number of Victorians over the age of 65 is forecast to grow by 650,000 over the next 20 years, much work needs to be done to bring more appropriate and affordable housing to market.
“It is critical that governments understand these opportunities as it plans for the significant increase of older Victorians and aims to keep the aged care sector operational.
“The population shift forecast by the 2023 Intergenerational Report will have socio-economic impacts on the nation, including the housing supply shortage and the pressure on an already struggling residential aged care sector.
“The great Australian dream of home ownership can become a reality for tens of thousands of additional Victorians under the right circumstances – and it starts and ends with an effective planning system,” he said.
ENDS
Media contact: Joe Schwab | 0402 687 890 | [email protected]