Over the next 25 years, inner Melbourne is expected to accommodate approximately one million additional residents, 525,000 additional dwellings and 618,000 additional jobs under State Government housing capacity targets.
Accommodating this level of growth will require significant investment in the infrastructure and services that communities rely on, from libraries, kindergartens and sporting facilities to transport, schools and health services.
The City of Stonnington, as part of the Melbourne 9 (M9) partnership, is calling on the State and Federal Governments to help fund the infrastructure that will be needed.
The ‘M9 Investing in Growth: Funding Essential Infrastructure’ report estimates councils will need around $923 million each year to provide the local infrastructure required, compared to M9 Councils projected funding capacity of approximately $763 million per year. The report also estimates around $28,900 in capital investment will be needed, per dwelling.
This leaves an estimated $803 million funding gap every five years for local infrastructure.
City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Melina Sehr said Councils are doing the work to plan for growth, but local government could not fund the scale of infrastructure that’s needed on its own.
“We need to make sure our neighbourhoods continue to have the parks, libraries, sporting facilities, community spaces and local services that people value,” said Cr Sehr.
“Our residents understand that Melbourne is growing, but they also expect that growth to be matched by investment in the infrastructure and services they use every day.”
“Through the M9 partnership, we’re advocating for greater State and Federal Government investment to protect the liveability of our communities, both for current residents and for the people who will call Stonnington home in the future.”
You can read the full report from M9 here: Investing in Growth: Funding Essential Infrastructure
M9 comprises the nine inner-metropolitan councils of Melbourne, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Yarra.
