News | 28 February

CCFV has broadly welcomed today’s release of the long-awaited new Plan for Victoria but is urging government planners to prioritise civil infrastructure in its eventual implementation.

The Plan for Victoria is a once-in-a-generation update designed to deliver a new vision for the state and to guide strategic planning policy through to mid-century.

By 2051, the state is expecting to be accommodating 10 million people – an increase of 3.8 million on present population numbers and a statistic that creates significant pressure to deliver the underpinning infrastructure to enable the 2.24 million new homes forecast by the Government.

CCFV CEO Lisa Kinross said while the new Plan for Victoria would help to guide and nurture growth amid an expected population explosion in the coming decades, the lack of recognition of the importance of civil infrastructure remained a significant concern.

“The new Plan for Victoria sets out in broad brush statements many aspirational actions or objectives for developing the state through to 2051,” Kinross said.

“It also enshrines the Government’s Housing Statement that it released in 2023 that in itself was designed to address critical issues around housing affordability and choice.

“Yet, there is still no recognition – beyond a few general references to ‘infrastructure’ – of the critical precursor role of civil construction in delivering the enabling infrastructure that underpins housing and communities.

“It is vital that as the Government begins to put this plan into action, that it increasingly prioritises civil infrastructure planning and allocates appropriate resources working with utilities stakeholders and industry; be it for new and existing housing, greenfields and brownfields infill; bringing new energy projects online, or; developing new and revitalising existing suburbs and thriving neighbourhoods, civil infrastructure planning and resources is the missing piece.”

CCF Vic participated in the development of the 30-year strategic plan, with a member-led submission paper addressing various issues around the Plan’s key pillars:

  • Housing for all Victorians
  • Accessible jobs and services
  • Great places, suburbs and towns
  • Sustainable environments
  • Self-determination and caring for Country

Across the five pillars, the Plan identifies 22 actions or objectives for implementing housing targets; tackling planning policies, practices and controls, and; enhancing open spaces. 

Of the topic of infrastructure planning and provision, Kinross called on the Government not to overlook the foundations that underpin housing, schools, hospitals and other public facilities and services the New Plan for Victoria aspired to deliver.

“While it’s good to have a clear plan – especially one so focused on such a long timeframe –  actions that actually lead to tangible outcomes are infinitely more important,” Kinross said.

“A good plan and vision needs to be agile, adaptive and dynamic, to flex with the passage of time and the inevitable changing environment and circumstances.

“We urge the Government not to overlook the importance of civil infrastructure and the role of civil construction contractors who are best placed to deliver the very foundations of our cities, towns and suburbs, now and into the future.”

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