Anatomy of DFP ( State Government’s Development Facilitation Program ) Planning Permit fast track/5

Anatomy of  DFP Planning Permit fast tracked for James Packer’s 18 storey tower proposal for Kew Junction – Objection 6 Claim of being an Affordable Housing Project

Who shall we hold responsible and accountable for the permanent outcomes to the neighbourhood and residents from the issuing of the DFP Planning Permit ? 

Is the DFP a "planning scheme sham", a backdoor for luxury developers ?

Eligibility: A major residential project valued over $50 million in metropolitan Melbourne (or $15 million in regional Victoria) is fast-tracked directly by the Minister for Planning on the condition that at least 10% of dwellings are delivered as affordable housing.

But : Developers are permitted to bypass building actual affordable housing on-site by opting instead to make a 3% cash contribution/levy of the project’s total value to the state’s Social Housing Growth Fund. Does the 3% financial contributions collected by the state actually find their way back into affordable housing projects within the specific communities bearing the impact of the new density – infrastructure, parking, public transit, etc. Data on this ? No!

Luxury Towers Over Affordable Homes: Critics point out that high-end, multi-million-dollar luxury apartment blocks in affluent suburbs (such as Boroondara, Hawthorn, Abbotsford, and Brunswick) are being approved under the DFP. Developers use the high profit margins of luxury builds to easily absorb the 3% cash levy rather than integrating low-cost units. 

Affordable housing expert Kate Raynor, who leads the Centre for Equitable Housing at progressive think tank Per Capita, said any policy attempting to increase affordable housing should be welcomed.

But she warned affordable housing policies with flexible contribution options had a history of failing to deliver affordable housing where it was needed at scale.

Former property developer Robert Pradolin said the scheme's appeal to the sector was obvious.

"If the developer thinks the introduction of what they term affordable housing is the perception of social housing, rightfully or wrongfully, that creates a sales risk for their products," he said.

"They'd rather not have that risk and they'd rather pay to get rid of it."

This means only about 59 affordable dwellings have been guaranteed across the Boroondara area out of about 800 homes approved so far (May 2026).

Has Affordable Housing being guaranteed at Kew Village ? At Council, this was discussed at length with the developer led by CR Sophie Torney and Mayor Wes Gault – absolutely not, and they still motioned for Kew Village to proceed.

CR Sophie Torney ‘joked’ with the developer that the last 2 projects in Boroondara ending up being a ‘cash contribution’ with no affordable housing.

CR Sophie Torney is for more housing for Kew, as we all are. However, we want people to have the opportunity for housing, not in a box, not in an 18 storey tower, and not with a multi- million price tag to buy and maintain.

CR Sophie Torney and Mayor Wes Gault still motioned for Kew Village to proceed.

From the Permit issued : 

“ the owner of the land must enter into an agreement to the satisfaction of the responsible authority, that provides for a contribution towards affordable housing affordable housing contribution by way of either of the following options:

a) At least 10 per cent of the total number of dwellings in the development must be provided as affordable housing for sale or lease  

b) Or a contribution towards the provision of affordable housing must be provided to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. The details of when and how the alternative contribution is to be made and the total value of the affordable housing contribution must be set out in the agreement to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. 

•  6000 sqm site      
•   4 Towers :1 X 18 storeys, 1 X 14 storeys, 2 X 4 storeys
• 194 dwellings 

Result : 19 dwellings out of the 194 dwellings on site

Result : Or $6.45M cash contribution (quoted baseline construction figure $215M with an estimated end project value of $520M (land purchased for $30M)).

Developer is doing OK…

“Prices for apartments in the newly approved Kew Village precinct are yet to be finalized. However, as a guide for premium developments in the area, off-the-plan multi-bedroom units typically start around $1,690,000, with larger luxury residences and penthouses fetching between $2.5 million and $5.95 million. [The Urban Developer, Domain]”

CR Sophie Torney is Our Ward Councillor responsible for oversight of this Permit Application – where are her affordable housing expectations ?

·        Our Council made a ‘submission’ to the State Government; they did not OBJECT.

·        Listen and read the words for yourself : Urban Planning Delegated Committee Meeting April 20th.

Do not waste your vote, vote for someone who can make change happen, who will have decision making power. Do not waste your vote on people who do not stand up for their residents or their community. 

As Premier, Jess Wilson will “tear up” the DFP & these housing towers’ strategy and restore our democratic planning rights.

Do not listen to CR Sophie Torney, we are NOT being mislead, a "tear up" of the DFP does not mean the Planning Permit for Leo's will disappear, that is our job as residents through the Courts, since our Council and  CR Sophie  Torney have not supported us.