Measuring agricultural loss and the impact of differing dwelling types: A case study Melbourne

Agricultural land loss is a severe issue that Australia faces, along with many other countries. A myriad of research studies discussed the repercussions and reasons for such land loss, including urban sprawl as the main factor. However, there is a knowledge gap in understanding the impact of dwelling type on farming land reduction. Also, there is an application gap, particularly in the local context. This paper aims to fill these research and practice gaps through a case study using a mixed methodology approach. A quantitative analysis of housing types, their growth and agricultural land area taken up by those different housing types over 18 years was conducted. Thematic analysis of policies, strategies, schemes, and codes relevant to the case study enabled a better understanding of practice gaps. The findings revealed a significant loss of agricultural land. Separate housing was found to be the main culprit due to its more substantial number and area size, thus exhibiting the lack of practical guidelines to prevent their overdevelopment. Findings enabled to identify the opportunities for better practice through government interventions and potential industry alterations. These approaches could contribute to reducing or ending the loss of agricultural ready land within areas observing population growth.