In our 2023 end-of-year reflection, we noted that we were “at the tipping point of a broader community understanding of the need to increase housing supply and to reconsider our approach to planning as one part of the gigantic problem that is housing affordability.”
In 2024, our predictions came true as we witnessed significant advancements in the desire to increase future housing supply. The Victorian Government announced a swathe of changes intended to stimulate new housing development. Draft plans for ten activity centres were announced, with another 50 key ‘train and tram zone’ activity centres promised. Additionally, 27 new greenfield suburbs will be unlocked, stamp duty concessions will be extended, the development contributions system will be streamlined, the DTP and VPA will merge, and the proposed codification of ResCode aims to simplify approvals for residential development. We are pleased to be seeing many steps in the right direction.
These changes have significant implications for Melbourne, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of the activity centre debate as it applies to our suburbs. We’ve represented many clients and made considered submissions to Engage Victoria, and we look forward to continuing to share with you the latest updates as they are published.
Housing supply is not just a challenge for Melbourne; it is affecting many cities across Australia. However, it is not the only factor changing the landscape of our country. With massive infrastructure projects in Victoria underway and many on track to completion soon, such as rail crossing removals, the North-East link, the West Gate tunnel project, the metro tunnel, and the proposed suburban rail loop, we’re seeing changes to how people move around Melbourne.
With state-of-the-art new metro lines and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) precincts announced, we’re seeing similar challenges in Sydney in terms of housing. Change is also afoot in South East Queensland with 50 cent public transport fares, a cross-river rail line under construction, a new premier, and preparations for the Olympics underway.
A particular passion of mine is working in the retirement and aged care sector, and the industry is growing significantly as our population ages. We’re helping vertical multi-generational villages like TLC Whitewater establish in the suburbs, working on everything from the planning scheme amendments to planning permit approvals, ensuring access and parking are appropriately managed and designing appropriate waste disposal and preparing landscape plans. At Ratio, our unique advantage is our multidisciplinary team working together to create solutions for growing sectors like aged care.
At Ratio, there have been many changes this year. The most significant for me is, of course, my new role as CEO at Ratio. Colleen Peterson, our CEO of 7 years, departed Ratio and moved to the Head of State Planning role at the Department of Transport and Planning. We wish Colleen absolutely all the best in her new role.
As the incoming CEO, I have enjoyed reflecting on Ratio’s growth and expansion. When I started with Ratio in 2008 we were a team of 25, and we’re now almost at 100, with services including planning, transport, urban design, waste management, landscape architecture, and circular economy. I couldn’t be prouder to lead a multidisciplinary team that cares about our staff’s culture and future.
A primary focus of 2024 has been Ratio’s diverse work across Australia. With local team members in our Sydney and Brisbane offices, alongside our team in Melbourne, supporting the growth north, we are thrilled to welcome many new clients and excited to learn more about how we can help foster projects in the sunnier states. We also opened an office in Hobart, which our Tassie superstars Mark Petrusma and Blanche Manuel have been servicing with transport and planning advice.
If I have to choose something I am most proud of this year, it’s the work we have put into consolidating our presence in New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland, and the client relationships we are forming across Australia as a result. Our teams in these states are working on a wide range of planning, urban design, transport, waste, landscape and circular economy projects, and we are excited to watch them flourish in 2025.
We’ve embraced our unique landscape architecture offering this year, headed by Ariel Utz and Jacqueline Lee, who have a distinctive style, bringing urban design and landscape architecture expertise to everything from advice, landscape plans and master plans. We’ve also sharpened our skills at visualising projects. Gokhan Karpat, who has long been our design genius as part of our Urban Design team, has expanded his abilities to bring Visualisation services to Ratio. From visual impact assessments to 3D/2D modelling, shadow diagrams, photographic streetscapes, built form analysis, GIS mapping and Shrine vista controls – we now provide these as stand-alone services.
We welcomed Blanche Manuel into Ratio’s Director team this year. Blanche’s passion for seeking the best for her clients while championing an inclusive work environment for her colleagues is inspiring for all – welcome to the team Blanche. In 2024, we also welcomed many new team members: Luke Walker, Jacqueline Lee, Matthew Pignata, Nicholas Condoleon, Alice Rider, Ana Lee, Trang Nguyen, Phu Pham, Kirstie Latham, Rebecca Kelleher, Hannah Alsop, Judie Bautista, Paul Belesis, Richard Seaward, Justine Derrick, Leo Russi and Beth Lamb.
This year, our Melbourne head office also relocated to 65 Dover Street, Cremorne. This fantastic new space allows our teams to collaborate easily on one level and has an impressive view. As one of our respected clients, please feel free to bring your sneakers next time you visit, and we can shoot a basket or two on the roof.
With 2025 imminent, I have been pondering what the next year may hold. It seems to us that positivity is returning. Of course there will be challenges but we are confident that the industry will rise to this challenge and we’ll see real progress in delivering new homes and more affordable and social housing, with continued strong development in the retail and industrial sectors.
