Murrindindi Shire Council's Scheduled Council Meeting on 11 December will include discussion on a strategic initiative to support key worker housing in Eildon and secure funds for the Eildon Reserves Redevelopment (Eildon Splash Park).
Following extensive community engagement with the Eildon community about the splash park and the potential sale of two parcels of land to partially fund Council's contribution to the $7.5 million project, Council accepted recommendations from an independent community panel to prepare the properties at 18 Twenty First Street, 10 Eighth Street and 11 Seventh Street in Eildon for sale.
During the engagement process, the importance of key worker housing emerged as a significant issue, with the panel recommending that Council consider offering rate rebates for properties developed on this land to support key worker accommodation.
As part of the Key Worker Housing Strategy developed in early 2024, Council has been actively exploring ways to utilise this land in Eildon to address the housing needs of the local workforce.
With funding successfully secured through the Victorian Government's Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, Council is proposing the construction of 33 bedrooms dedicated to key worker accommodation on these two sites, delaying their sale by at least five years. This initiative will provide much-needed affordable housing, ensuring that essential workers can live and thrive within our community.
At the upcoming Council Meeting, Council will discuss accepting the grant funding from the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund and allocating $400,000 from Infrastructure Reserves Funds to the Eildon Reserves Redevelopment project. This allocation is required to honour Council's co-contribution to the Redevelopment. It is proposed that these funds will be reimbursed to the Infrastructure Reserve through the rental revenue generated and future sale of these assets. An allocation for borrowing $1.4 million as a co-contribution towards the key worker accommodation project in Eildon was included in the 2024/25 Annual Budget.
With the Eildon Reserves Redevelopment nearing completion, the community can look forward to a grand opening early next year. The project features a brand-new splash park, with a variety of fun water activities including splash pads and water jets, designed to offer a cool and refreshing place for everyone during the warmer months. The development includes a range of new play spaces for families, a skate park, swings and a flying fox, new BBQ areas, and upgraded public toilet and change facilities, providing access for all abilities.
The Eildon Reserves Redevelopment has been made possible with $6.1 million in funding from State Government's Regional Tourism Investment Fund, Local Sport Infrastructure Fund and Changing Places Fund, and the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund.
