The Andrews Labor Government is helping workers across the Mallee access more accommodation, with construction of a new suite of housing now complete.
Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing yesterday visited the four new homes in Robinvale that are ready for move-in - supporting more essential workers to live locally.
The Ronald Street houses have been delivered by the Labor Government's Swan Hill Worker Housingproject and backed by $500,000 from the Government's Building Works package. One of the homes has already sold, with the other three now on the market.
Each home can house six people, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two car spaces - providing space for up to 24 workers. The houses all feature reverse cycle air conditioning, built-in robes, a private and secure yard with an undercover entertainment area and double garage.
Swan Hill Rural City Council has plans to further develop the site with four more houses.
The project is one of several solutions underway to improve housing supply in the region and across the state. In the Mallee, the Government has committed $1.9 million to provide more accommodation options.
This includes the Ramsay Court Worker Accommodation facility in Mildura which opened in 2021, supported with $800,000 from the Building Works package. The project provided space for up to 56 seasonal workers and features 25 rooms, a communal kitchen, laundry and outdoor area.
The project complements the Government's $5 million Regional Workforce Pilots, which have been developed to help regional and rural communities attract the workers they need.
Robinvale is among four pilot sites across the state experiencing high demand for workers and challenges in attracting them. The local pilot is enabling coordination between all levels of government to explore more accommodation options.
The $2.7 billion Building Works program is providing immediate and lasting benefits to communities across the state, with more than half the projects in rural and regional Victoria. For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au/resources/coronavirus/building-works.
The housing project and the pilots are part of the Labor Government's record investment of more than $36 billion in regional and rural Victoria since 2015.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing
"We know that workforce and housing shortages are a real issue in many parts of the state, including the Mallee."
"We're changing that by building the homes our regions need to attract and retain workers. This means supporting the people, businesses and industries that are critical to the growth of our regions."
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney
"With room for more Victorians to live and work in Robinvale, we're boosting the local economy and backing agriculture opportunities in the region."
