Adam Band, Greens MP and federal member for Melbourne, has expressed his concern that the housing plan outlined by Victorian planning minister Matthew Guy will focus on height and density rather than creating community spaces.
This kind of thinking will have a detrimental effect on the quality of life enjoyed by Melbourne residents, Mr Band suggested.
"We're already cramming people into the inner city without providing enough community facilities, affordable housing, public transport or open space," he added.
He pointed to developments like the Docklands as an example of areas where inadequate planning has left many houses without sufficient facilities such as schools and parks.
The government should not come up with "fanciful" plans for high-rise accommodation without first making sure it can provide for anyone who moves into it, concluded the MP.
Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle has recently given his backing to a controversial scheme which will turn the city into a Manhattan-style city through abolishing height restrictions, the Australian reported.
Posted by Craig Francis
