High rises out of reach for residents, opposition says

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said Premier Jacinta Allan's plan to deliver more than 30,000 additional homes across Melbourne by 2051 was inaccessible.

"All of Melbourne will be blanketed with these high rises that are very expensive to build," he said on Sunday.

"They're going to be well out of reach of Victorians who desperately need housing."

Mr Pesutto criticised the state government for announcing the plan during the caretaker period for local government elections.

"The government hasn't consulted," he said. 

"You get no voice and you get no choice.

"It's made sure that it's dropped this latest desperate announcement when local municipal authorities ... and local council candidates can't be in any position to meaningfully engage on these issues."

Moonee Valley community member Peter Riley said residents wanted the plan to be stopped for a "true community consultation".

"We were just shocked when we heard the drastic changes that are expected to take place within our community," he said.

Ms Allan said the dwellings would be a mixture of townhouses and apartments centred on 50 high-frequency train stations and tram stops, some in Melbourne's leafiest and most expensive areas such as Toorak, Armadale and Brighton.

Angry Brighton residents surrounded the hotel where the premier announced the plan to media on Sunday, chanting "shame premier shame".

But Ms Allan said she would not be deterred, adding too many young Victorians spent their weekend frustrated at being locked out of the property market.

"'I'm a builder, not a blocker," she said. 

"Too many blockers have stopped younger Victorians getting into their own home.

"I challenge anyone to say to a young Victorian why they want to be a blocker, not a builder when it comes to having their hopes and dreams dashed week-in, week-out in being able to find their own home."

Ms Allan said the first 25 "activity zones" would focus on stations that benefited from the Metro Tunnel and the well-serviced Frankston, Sandringham, Belgrave/Lilydale and Glen Waverley Lines.

Suburbs will include Murrumbeena, Oakleigh, Hawthorn, Blackburn, Mitcham and West Footscray. 

The remaining 25 zones will be announced by the end of 2024, alongside the release of Plan For Victoria. 

The 50 newly announced centres add to the 10 initial activity centres announced earlier in 2024 for Broadmeadows, Camberwell, Chadstone, Epping, Frankston, Moorabbin, Niddrie, North Essendon, Preston and Ringwood.

Housing in those areas will vary between three and 20 storeys, but building heights are not yet known for the new 50 zones. 

Ms Allan was keen to clarify only one 20-storey building had been approved in Ringwood so far. 

The Department of Transport and Planning recommended the new activity zones based on an analysis of transport capacity, access to jobs and services and environmental considerations.

Australian Associated Press