There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing developers grumble about Victoria while simultaneously watching our state outperform the rest of Australia on housing delivery. Call it schadenfreude if you like, but when property developers are complaining about a jurisdiction, there’s a decent chance that jurisdiction is actually prioritising people over profit margins.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Victoria is building 2.2 homes per 1000 people each quarter, compared to the national average of 1.6. We’re on track to hit 98% of our national housing target while NSW languishes at 65%. Melbourne house prices have flatlined while Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra have shot through the roof. Yet developers are apparently telling each other “ABV” - Anywhere But Victoria.

Looking down at our city from above has always fascinated me. The recent Google Maps 3D imagery update of Melbourne has me glued to my screen, exploring familiar neighbourhoods from entirely new perspectives. The update covers previously missing areas like the Dandenong Ranges and parts of the Peninsula, offering an unprecedented virtual tour of our sprawling metropolis.

The detail is remarkable. From my desk in the inner suburbs, I’ve been virtually flying around the city, spotting landmarks and discovering how much our urban landscape has changed. The imagery shows Melbourne draped in a vibrant green canopy - quite different from the often brown, sun-scorched view we’re used to seeing in older satellite images. It’s a pleasant reminder that despite our reputation for concrete and coffee, Melbourne really is a gorgeously green city when viewed from above.