Council is proposing a new 12-unit development in partnership with Homes Victoria and Wintringham Housing Limited in Lancefield to upgrade existing social housing and support more of the Macedon Ranges' most vulnerable residents.
Funded by the Homes Victoria $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, the proposal in Lancefield would see five existing, older units demolished and 12 modern units built across two Council-owned blocks of land totalling around 3,700 square metres.
The development would be overseen by – and a 20-year lease for the site granted to – registered housing provider Wintringham Housing Limited, which currently manages all housing units on behalf of Council.
Mayor Annette Death said Council had reviewed its existing housing stock across the shire at sites in Gisborne, Romsey and Lancefield, with the review identifying the Lancefield site as best suited to redevelopment.
"We're grateful for this funding and it is an incredibly worthwhile opportunity to provide a safe home to more of our residents who may be doing it tough for a variety of reasons," she said
"The proposed site at Lancefield is already going some way towards supporting social housing, but this proposal would significantly improve that offering."
Three out of the five existing units are tenanted and these existing tenants would be supported throughout the process, including being offered interim accommodation for the duration of the build.
As a first step in this process, Council is advertising a Notice of Intention to Lease the site to Wintringham for a 20-year term and welcomes public feedback on this initial proposal.
Feedback can be provided until 5pm, Tuesday 28 February.
