Hi everyone, and happy new year!

If you’ve been wondering whether Fair Growth Thornbury has been quiet over the break, we haven’t. Not even close.

With final plans approaching, and an election-year policy contest already taking shape, we’re entering a decisive phase for Thornbury and for communities across Melbourne being reshaped by the Activity Centre Program.

Here’s what’s new 👇

1) We were in the news on New Year’s Day

We publicly called out YIMBY Melbourne for mischaracterising our proposed alternative solutions to the Activity Centre plans, and set the record straight with facts, logic and evidence, and The Age picked it up.

We did an interview, and a strong article came out of it.
Read it here.

2) We’ve been posting regularly and launched Melbourne for Sale

We’re posting updates and analysis at @fairgrowththornbury. Follow along if you want the latest in real time.

We’ve also launched 'Melbourne for Sale', a new series of in-depth publications that dissects what’s going wrong with Victoria’s current planning approach, and what “more homes, done better” can actually look like.

Melbourne for Sale, Volume 1 (setting the scene) is here.

3) We’re hosting an exclusive event in late February

At the end of February we’re hosting a major election-year event designed to influence housing and planning policy across all political parties.

It’s a moderated panel intended to move the conversation beyond the stale “NIMBY vs YIMBY” framing and into the real question:

How can Victoria deliver more and diverse homes, supported by the infrastructure and services upgrades density requires, while meaningfully incorporating expert and community input, and without eroding Melbourne’s suburbs’ identity, history and culture?

We already have confirmed attendance and representation across political, media, expert and community voices, with more to come.

4) Final plans are coming and we’re preparing to mobilise

We expect the Government will release final plans shortly. If past process is any guide, we are planning for the risk that community feedback will be largely ignored.

As a result, we are preparing a robust campaign in the lead-up to the election to apply real pressure for transparent, evidence-based planning, proper infrastructure sequencing, and genuine engagement with the communities being asked to carry the brunt of this transformation.

5) We’re building a coalition across Melbourne

We’re connecting with community groups across Melbourne impacted by the Activity Centre Program. The pattern is clear. Different suburbs, same concerns.

Density, yes.
But place-sensitive, responsible density, so we enhance suburbs rather than hollow them out.

As party housing policies land, we’ll also be producing planning scorecards so supporters can clearly see where each party stands.

We need your help

If you want to help us punch at our weight in this next phase, here are three simple actions:

Join our mailing list
Follow and share: Instagram @fairgrowththornbury
Support the campaign, if you can: GoFundMe

Most importantly, keep the conversation going with friends, family and neighbours.

This election year, planning will only become a priority if communities make it one.

Thanks again for backing us and for standing up for more homes, done better.

As always, if you have any questions or want to reach out, contact us through our website or send us an email at fairgrowththornbury@gmail.com.

Fair Growth Thornbury Team