Last Monday, the Victorian Chapter’s Housing Committee, chaired by Sarah Buckeridge FRAIA, delivered an important message to government at a special panel discussion and presentation hosted by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect at 1 Spring Street.
The event, attended exclusively by representatives from Department of Transport and Planning, Development Victoria, Housing Victoria, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, and Heritage Victoria, centred on how Victoria can achieve more homes with better design outcomes while addressing the state’s housing crisis. With population growth projections highlighting the need for more than two million additional homes over the next three decades, the discussion underscored that planning reforms alone will not deliver liveable neighbourhoods, design excellence must be at the core.
Chaired by OVGA’s Stefan Preuss, the panel brought together expertise across design, economics, research, and development. Representing architecture and design, Sarah Buckeridge from Hayball spoke passionately about the role of architects in creating density that is desirable, sustainable, and community-focused. She was joined by Marcus Spiller from SGS Economics, Dr Kirsten Bevin, and Tim Riley from Property Collectives, who together explored how evidence-based research, economic frameworks, and innovative development models can help unlock housing supply while maintaining amenity and quality.
This event built directly on the momentum of the Density Done Well exhibition, which the Housing Committee curated and launched at Parliament House in July. The exhibition showcased 30 exemplary multi-residential projects from across Victoria, proving that density and liveability are not mutually exclusive.
The exhibition’s success has been profound. The Department of Transport and Planning is now using it as the basis for a tour of Greater Melbourne’s activity centres, sharing exemplar projects by Victorian architects with policymakers, planners, and local government officers. This is a clear recognition of the Housing Committee’s leadership and the Institute’s advocacy, demonstrating the power of good design to influence government priorities and inspire systemic change.
The Housing Committee’s work is a reminder of how Institute advocacy can directly influence the housing conversation in Victoria. By engaging constructively with government departments and presenting evidence through exhibitions, panels, and submissions, the Committee ensures that the voice of the profession is heard where it matters most.
We thank Sarah Buckeridge and the Housing Committee for their commitment, expertise, and leadership in championing density done well. Their work ensures that as Victoria grows, the homes we build will not only meet urgent demand but also enrich communities and improve the lives of Victorians for generations to come.
