Meet the Minister, The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP

Committee for Melbourne members heard from The Honourable Sonya Kilkenny MP, Minister for Planning and Minister for the Suburbs, at lunch on on Tuesday 10 October 2023 hosted at K&L Gates, with presenting partner Lendlease.

Minister Kilkenny shared her vision for how government, community and businesses can work together to create a vibrant, engaging, and inclusive place for everyone. The Minister highlighted how the Victorian Government’s recently announced Housing Statement aims to tackle Melbourne’s housing crisis with a significant range of reforms to increase the supply of new housing in Victoria. The Minister highlighted that now is the right time to talk about this issue, with a great deal of appetite in the community for increasing the supply of housing in existing suburbs.

Committee for Melbourne welcomes the ambitious target in the Housing Statement to deliver 80,000 new homes each year in Victoria, over the next decade.

Mark Melvin, CEO at Committee for Melbourne, moderated the panel discussion with Minister Kilkenny, Will Grinter from K&L Gates, Adam G Williams from Lendlease and Leanne Edwards from Committee for Melbourne.

The panel agreed that Melbourne is an extraordinary city with much to be proud of, but that addressing housing needs is of significant importance. Housing is a fundamental right and impacts liveability, community and economic outcomes. Conversations centred around the important reforms contained in the Victorian Government’s Housing Statement. They also highlighted the opportunities for future policies that might deliver new housing supply, especially by working with the private sector. Investment in key areas such as infrastructure, social and affordable housing, sustainability, and skills and jobs will continue to underpin the success of a growing population across the state.

Committee for Melbourne’s Benchmarking Melbourne 2023 report reveals the unequal distribution of affordable housing, green spaces, access to public transport, walkable restaurants and amenities across the wider metropolis. The ‘tale of two cities’ theme from the report shows there are opportunities to improve affordable housing options in the right locations, and the Committee looks forward to continuing conversations with the Minister, to deliver more homes in Melbourne.

The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP speaking at a lectern with K&L Gates and Lendlease and Committee for Melbourne banners behind her. Mark Melvin stands behind a lectern, with Will Grinter, Minister Sonya Kilkenny, Adam Williams and Leanne Edwards sat in chairs on the panel of an event Adam Williams, Mark Melvin, The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, Leanne Edwards and Will Grinter stand together for a photo in the foyer at K&L Gates

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