Tuesday, 15 October 2024

 Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:53): Regional workers do not just need good jobs, they need places to live, and that is why the Allan Labor government is delivering the $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund. I was proud to be in Shepparton last Friday alongside the Premier to announce more than 20 recipients for round 1, delivering around $75 million towards new affordable regional housing. This is unlocking almost $250 million of investment in key worker accommodation and supporting new homes for thousands of workers and their families.

We are backing industries with worker shortages, like health care, agriculture and tourism. In Shepparton, Goulburn Valley Health will deliver 15 fully self-contained apartments for clinical staff, meaning more properties will be able to go back into the rental market. Leading kiwi grower Seeka will build 64 new bedrooms, supporting their seasonal workforce and ensuring their fantastic produce makes it to our tables. Pear and apple grower Kalafatis will build 12 new townhouses, providing much-needed accommodation for vital horticultural workers. Over 1300 beds will be delivered by the Grollo Group across the alpine region for vital tourism workers.

We also know that regional councils have faced challenges securing vital building surveyor services, placing a strain on planning approvals for new businesses and homes. We are backing the Yarriambiack shire with a $200,000 grant to work with neighbouring councils to trial a new innovative shared services model so that rural councils can speed up approvals, delivering more housing for our regions so that regional economies can grow and thrive and so many more people can live, work and stay in our fantastic regions.