Housing & Regional Development: Affordable Homes & Thriving Communities

What People Are Telling Me

"Families are struggling to find affordable homes, renters are being pushed to their limits, and Melbourne is bursting at the seams. Meanwhile, many regional towns have affordable housing but not enough jobs, transport, or services to attract people. We need to fix both issues at once—by making housing more affordable and unlocking the potential of regional Victoria."

The Reality We Face

Housing affordability crisis: The median house price in Melbourne is over $840,000, and rents have jumped 12% in a year. Vacancy rates are at historic lows, leaving renters with fewer options and rising costs.

Overcrowding in Melbourne: The city’s population is growing rapidly, but infrastructure—like roads, public transport, and schools—is struggling to keep up.

Underutilised regional Victoria: Many regional towns have affordable housing and room to grow, but lack transport, healthcare, and job opportunities to make them viable alternatives to the city.

We need bold action to fix these problems—building more affordable homes, protecting renters, and shifting growth beyond Melbourne.

My Commitment

I believe every Victorian deserves:

✅ A secure, affordable place to live.

✅ Better public transport and infrastructure—no matter where you live.

✅ Stronger regional economies to create jobs and opportunities outside Melbourne.

This is why I’m committed to a smart, balanced plan that makes housing affordable while revitalising regional Victoria.

Key Initiatives for Affordable Housing & Regional Growth

1) Expanding Affordable Housing Supply

Housing should be for people, not just investors.

✔ Build 50,000 new affordable homes over five years, including social and below-market rentals, to relieve housing pressure.

✔ Fast-track planning approvals for affordable housing projects to get more homes built, faster.

✔ Tackle rental affordability—introduce reasonable caps on rent increases linked to inflation and stop price gouging.

✔ Use vacant properties—introduce a modest vacant home tax to encourage landlords to rent out empty properties.

2) Making Regional Victoria a Place to Live & Work

We need to unlock the potential of regional Victoria.

✔ Regional Infrastructure Fund—invest in fast rail, better roads, hospitals, and schools to make regional towns more connected and livable.

✔ Expand regional public transport—more frequent trains, coach services, and local buses so people don’t need a car to live outside Melbourne.

✔ Boost healthcare access—more funding for doctors, nurses, and specialists in regional hospitals and clinics.

✔ Supercharge digital connectivity—expand 5G and NBN access to ensure regional Victorians aren’t left behind.

3) Incentives for Businesses & Jobs in the Regions

People will move when jobs move.

✔ Payroll tax cuts & relocation grants for businesses that set up in regional Victoria, creating good-paying local jobs.

✔ Support for regional startups & small businesses—grants, training, and funding to help businesses grow outside Melbourne.

✔ Move government jobs to the regions—decentralise agencies and offices to create sustainable employment in regional cities.

✔ Industry hubs in key areas—develop renewable energy, agribusiness, and tech hubs in strategic regional locations.

4) Helping People Move & Settle in Regional Victoria

If we want people to move, we need to support them.

✔ Regional First Home Buyer Grants—bring back bigger grants for home buyers who settle in regional towns.

✔ Relocation assistance for families & skilled workers—financial support for people who move for work or a better quality of life.

✔ Promote regional living—a public campaign showcasing the affordable housing, job opportunities, and lifestyle benefits of country living.

✔ Remote work hubs in the regions—co-working spaces with high-speed internet so people can keep city jobs while living regionally.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about housing—it’s about making all of Victoria thrive.

This plan will:

✅ Make housing more affordable—by increasing supply and protecting renters.

✅ Relieve pressure on Melbourne—by shifting growth to regional areas.

✅ Create more jobs outside the city—so people can live where they can afford to buy a home.

✅ Build stronger, more connected regional communities—through better transport, schools, and healthcare.

My Vision

"No Victorian should be priced out of having a home. No family should have to leave their community just to find an affordable place to live. And no regional town should be left behind while Melbourne struggles with overcrowding."

"By investing in housing and regional development, we can create a fairer, more balanced Victoria—one where everyone has a place to call home and opportunities to build a better future."

💬 If you believe in a Victoria that works for everyone, let’s make this happen together.