Thursday, 31 October 2024


Questions without notice and ministers statements

Ministers statements: regional housing


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Ministers statements: regional housing

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:46): This government recognises the importance of regional housing. That is why we recently announced almost $75 million towards more than 20 projects through the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund. Our investment is unlocking around $250 million in key worker housing across the state and delivering over 1000 bedrooms for key workers.

I have visited several of these fantastic projects already, from the Latrobe Valley Village in Newborough, ensuring vital care economy workers considering the move to the Latrobe Valley can be assured of comfortable accommodation – and I thank the team for hosting me there last Sunday – to Colac Area Health and Timboon and District Healthcare Service making it even easier to draw vital healthcare workers to western Victoria. In Castlemaine Don Smallgoods will build eight brand new dwellings, supporting more than 32 key workers. This will meet a critical need, providing more suitable affordable accommodation for food manufacturing workers rather than having them live in temporary accommodation, because staff do not just need decent jobs, they need places to live. This is just one way the Allan Labor government is backing regional housing. Our shared building surveyors pilot, announced in Murtoa, will also support rural councils to speed up housing approvals.

The government is slashing stamp duty on off-the-plan units and townhouses, backing in new planners through the regional planner cadetship program and delivering the $1 billion Regional Housing Fund alongside the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund to boost supply. This government is backing innovative solutions to regional housing so that our regional economies can continue to thrive.