Great Designs Approved Quicker And More Often
The Allan Labor Government is ensuring more high-quality apartments and townhouses get off the ground faster with applications open from tomorrow for the Great Design Fast Track.
This new streamlined planning pathway will make it easier and quicker to approve well-designed apartment and townhouse developments that include eight or more homes between two and eight storeys depending on the zone.
Projects must meet certain design principles to qualify for the pathway, ensuring they are high-quality, long-lasting and good value for residents. The Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) will review applications to confirm they meet these high standards.
To deliver grand designs without the grand cost, proponents will need to demonstrate how they are providing good value homes – this could be through innovative delivery models, modern methods of construction, or considering ways to minimise operational costs for the long-term.
Projects must demonstrate a higher level of sustainability than typical projects – achieving an average 8-star rating on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) for apartments and 7.5 stars for townhouses.
They also need to accommodate well thought out community spaces, consider green space and landscaping, and cater to the needs of different kinds of households.
To support great design, the Government has released a State Design Book, showcasing exemplary housing projects. Victorians will be able to nominate outstanding examples of well-designed homes through the Engage Victoria website.
Locals still retain their right to have their say and all submissions will be considered, but they will be fast tracked, meaning there will be no third-party appeals, with the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny being the responsible authority for projects that go through this pathway.
This is another way the Labor Government is helping deliver more homes for more Victorians – including through delivering more homes close to trams and train stations, getting more townhouses off the ground faster, and slashing stamp duty for off-the-plan townhouses and apartments.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
“We know we need more homes, and we need them now – that’s why we’re making sure high-quality and well-designed townhouses and apartments get the greenlight sooner.”
“We’re going all in to support the design and development of more townhouses and apartments that will stand the test of time in quality, design, aesthetics, sustainability and cost.”
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/250406-Great-Designs-Approved-Quicker-And-More-Often.pdf