{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions Advertise jobs HIA SafeScan Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2025 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

'Great Design Fast Track' should encourage more gentle density (Vic)

Media release

'Great Design Fast Track' should encourage more gentle density (Vic)

Media release
“The Victorian government’s latest planning initiative, the Great Design Fast Track, has the potential to encourage more low to medium density housing to be built,” stated HIA Executive Director Victoria, Keith Ryan.

The Victorian government has announced that applications are open through the Development Facilitation Program for this new streamlined planning pathway. Projects with more than 8 homes in buildings between two and eight storeys that meet the government’s design principles will quality for this pathway.

“Universally it is accepted that planning systems are buckling under the weight of approving homes in the timelines that are needed. Equally it is accepted that business as usual approaches to planning for our future communities isn’t going to cut it.

“It has been pleasing to see the Victorian government put forward new initiatives to seek to bring more projects online faster but, in reality we need the pedal to the metal to pull out all stops to get more new land and projects online faster. This initiative is but a step in the right direction.

“Good quality, well designed and well-located apartments have an important role to play in addressing the state’s housing shortage. HIA supports initiatives such as this with the aim of to encourage and fostering the quicker delivery of lower and medium density housing to market.

“Given that these applications have input from the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and Invest Victoria, we think exempting them from review rights is a fair and measured response. The Minister will have the information needed to make a responsible decision. Provisions that reduce notification and appeal rights where a robust decision-making process has been put in place have existed in the planning system for many years and are nothing to be afraid of.

“It is noted however that any applicant wanting to lodge an application under these new provisions will need to provide a lot of detailed design. It is anticipated this may create a lag in the uptake of this initiative as industry prepares. We hope that these requirements won’t prove too demanding in practice and meet the needs of home buyers.

“In other countries where standard design or pattern book designs have been effective in streamlining and fast-tracking approvals, the designs have been outcomes based rather than an overly prescriptive design recipe book. 

“We all know of the need to ensure 800,000 new homes are built in the coming decade. There remain numerous regulatory barriers and difficulties the industry faces in achieving this. We urge the Victorian government to continue with further initiatives that allow the home building industry to build the new homes that Victoria needs,” concluded Mr Ryan.

For more information please contact:

Keith Ryan

Executive Director - Victoria
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
19 Jun
Population data highlights contradiction in government policy

“Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of 2024, up by 445,900 people, or 1.7 per cent for the year,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.

19 Jun
Tasmanian Election - Stadium or no stadium we still need housing

The Tasmanian election that no-one wanted to have is in full swing, and while the limited campaign period is unlikely to provide the usual platform to promote key policies and reforms, HIA is calling on both major parties to prioritise housing policies given the significant challenges across the state.

19 Jun
‘Getting Keys in Doors’ shouldn’t be this difficult

“Our dated and complex planning system is littered with speed bumps that could easily be removed”, said Brad Armitage, HIA NSW Executive Director.

18 Jun
New home building contract laws welcomed by HIA

“The Victorian government’s proposal to update home building contract laws to make them fit for use in the 21st century is welcomed by HIA,” stated HIA Executive Director, Keith Ryan.