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Campaspe bolsters Victoria’s nation-leading housing data

ABS data has revealed Victoria’s latest housing statistics, as Campaspe sees an above-average turnaround of planning applications. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Victoria has built and approved more housing in the last 12 months than any other state, according to recent ABS data.

The data, released on Wednesday, October 9, showed 60,606 homes were built in Victoria over the year, a 7.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

The state also saw 52,854 home approvals in the last year, around 10,000 more than NSW and 18,000 more than Queensland.

Locally, Campaspe Shire Council received 329 planning applications during the 2023-24 financial year, and issued 264 planning permits in this period.

Forty-four new dwellings were approved, along with 1625 new lots, although these may not all have been residential lots.

Sustainability director Michael Sharp said the council was achieving a consistently high turnaround on planning applications received.

“During the 2023-24 financial year across all the state, 65.98 per cent of applications were determined in time frames,” he said.

“Campaspe Shire Council achieved a result of 82.91 per cent, which is significantly above the state average.”

Mr Sharp said the construction of a new dwelling does not always require planning approval, meaning planning data alone does not accurately reflect all residential development.

The Victorian Government introduced housing reforms last year as part of the Housing Statement, which established draft housing targets for councils.

Campaspe Shire Council was given a target of facilitating an additional 4200 dwellings by 2051 under the reforms.

The Echuca West Precinct Structure Plan is expected to cater for 5000 dwellings alone, Mr Sharp said.

“Once individual lots are established in the Echuca West PSP area, single dwellings on lots will not require planning approval and will be able to commence development upon receiving their building permit from a private surveyor,” he said.

Other developments in the region will also make reaching the housing target more likely, Mr Sharp said.