Rural Councils Victoria welcomes the state government’s announcement today (1 December) of the guidelines of a $150 million fund to support the provision of worker housing in rural and regional Victoria.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney announced the opening of the $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund for workers in key industries where staff are in demand such as agriculture, hospitality and teaching.
Grants of between $150,000 and $5 million will be available to develop projects that support local businesses to retain and attract workers by delivering affordable housing and accommodation, the government announcement said.
Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said:
“The government’s announcement is most welcome.
“The announcement matches one of the pillars of the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan which called for specific government funding to deliver homes for key workers across a range of key industries.
“The announcement follows several productive meetings between RCV and the government.
“RCV has been advocating to state and federal governments for action on rural housing since the RCV Committee nominated housing as their number one priority at the beginning of 2023.
“This was followed by a housing survey of all members at the RCV Forum 2023, which was held in Echuca on 14 July, to determine the key issues across rural communities and to develop the Plan.
“It is pleasing to see that government has taken the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan into serious consideration and has begun delivering on the asks in the document.
“Rural Councils Victoria is looking forward to working closely with the government to see projects delivered in rural Victorian communities.”
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney announced the opening of the $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund for workers in key industries where staff are in demand such as agriculture, hospitality and teaching.
Grants of between $150,000 and $5 million will be available to develop projects that support local businesses to retain and attract workers by delivering affordable housing and accommodation, the government announcement said.
Rural Councils Victoria Chair Cr Mary-Ann Brown said:
“The government’s announcement is most welcome.
“The announcement matches one of the pillars of the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan which called for specific government funding to deliver homes for key workers across a range of key industries.
“The announcement follows several productive meetings between RCV and the government.
“RCV has been advocating to state and federal governments for action on rural housing since the RCV Committee nominated housing as their number one priority at the beginning of 2023.
“This was followed by a housing survey of all members at the RCV Forum 2023, which was held in Echuca on 14 July, to determine the key issues across rural communities and to develop the Plan.
“It is pleasing to see that government has taken the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan into serious consideration and has begun delivering on the asks in the document.
“Rural Councils Victoria is looking forward to working closely with the government to see projects delivered in rural Victorian communities.”