The Victorian Government recently released new housing targets for each local government area. Yarra is being asked to add 48,000 houses by 2051 on top of the 52,000 homes that are already here.

That’s a big ask and requires a lot of thought.

In this Pubtalk we start the conversation. Do we need the sort of broadscale upzoning and removal of heritage controls as proposed by YIMBI Melbourne? Or can we achieve this outcome through a more surgical procedure by identifying suitable sites.

Next question, who will build these homes. Most will be multi-unit residences but as we have seen, investors are staying away. The old speculate-buy-build-sell model is broken causing massive shortfalls. Are there alternative models?

Hear from our speakers:

Rob Adams is a multi-award-winning architect and urban designer whose vision and drive over more than thirty years helped shape the City of Melbourne into one of the world’s leading examples of best practice in urban design. As Director City Design, Rob was instrumental in writing and implementing the first comprehensive urban design strategy for central Melbourne.

Jonathan O’Brien is a writer, software developer and housing supply advocate. In 2023 he founded YIMBY Melbourne, a group advocating for planning reform and housing abundance. His is an inaugural Fundraise for Australia Fellow. Jonathan’s writing has been widely published and earned a Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artists Fellowship in 2020.

Gordon Noble is a Research Director with the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He has held frontline roles in superannuation, banking, investment management, employee relations and policy research. His interests include sustainable real estate, sustainable societies and responsible investment. He has recently been looking at alternative financial models for housing development.

Price covers venue and finger food.