Researchers find Clifton Hill government land could be used for housing
A team of researchers from the University of Melbourne has identified around 250 government-owned sites across the state that are under utilised and suggested they could be given over to housing.
The locations, including an almost 3,000 square metre space on Alexandra Parade in Clifton Hill, total 200 hectares in size and could provide over 30,000 homes.
The researchers assembled their data over three months after submitting freedom of information requests to all levels of government and weeding out sites that would not be suitable for reasons such as toxic contamination or high risk of flooding. Despite these omissions, lead author Dr. Matthew Palm stated that governments own more land than the public realise. He said,
Opportunities for land development are often advertised with help from banner printing services. Melbourne’s fast-growing north was found to have the biggest share of under utilised government land, including the Clifton Hill site. The report said there are a further 65 northern locations that could provide enough land to build 5,700 units. Further clusters of sites, including car parks and vacant military spaces, were found in the inner south east and western suburbs of the city.
The locations, including an almost 3,000 square metre space on Alexandra Parade in Clifton Hill, total 200 hectares in size and could provide over 30,000 homes.
The researchers assembled their data over three months after submitting freedom of information requests to all levels of government and weeding out sites that would not be suitable for reasons such as toxic contamination or high risk of flooding. Despite these omissions, lead author Dr. Matthew Palm stated that governments own more land than the public realise. He said,
“The fingerprints of the state touch on a lot of neighbourhoods and these land assets could be better utilised to meet public needs.”
Opportunities for land development are often advertised with help from banner printing services. Melbourne’s fast-growing north was found to have the biggest share of under utilised government land, including the Clifton Hill site. The report said there are a further 65 northern locations that could provide enough land to build 5,700 units. Further clusters of sites, including car parks and vacant military spaces, were found in the inner south east and western suburbs of the city.