Greater certainty, improved collaboration and increased resourcing will help address the region’s housing challenges, East Gippsland Shire Council told a parliamentary inquiry in Traralgon last week.

The public hearing hosted by the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee is part of an inquiry into the supply of homes in regional Victoria. It is investigating the availability, diversity and delivery of housing across regional areas. The inquiry is examining a range of pressing issues, including construction workforce challenges, housing demand in high-need areas, and accommodation availability for key regional workers.

Council’s General Manager Place and Community, Chris Stephenson, and Senior Planning Advisor, Chris Wightman, contributed to the inquiry, focussing on three key themes: certainty, collaboration and resources.

“To create certainty in the sector, we called for legislated targets or quotas for social and affordable housing to be included in all new developments,” Mr Stephenson said. “We also highlighted the need for stronger policy to support increased housing diversity such as one- and two-bedroom homes and residential villages in areas with good access to jobs, services, and facilities.  

“Building community knowledge and resilience regarding environmental risks – including bushfire, flooding and coastal vulnerability – by introducing evidence-based mapping into planning policy that directs housing development to areas of lowest risk would also provide certainty and consistency for the community, Council and the development industry. This can be implemented regionally or statewide.”

Council advocated for improved engagement between the Victorian Government and regional communities to ensure planning policies reflect the needs of rural and regional Victoria.

“Emerging planning policy focuses too strongly on metropolitan Melbourne. A statewide ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy approach does not fully realise opportunities offered in rural and regional locations,” Mr Stephenson said.

“Collaboration is needed with the development industry to recognise challenges such as supply chain issues and skilled labour, faced in rural and regional locations and build the capacity of developers to deliver more diverse and sustainable homes.”

Council called for direct investment in social and affordable housing in East Gippsland.

“Prioritising investment in funding for key infrastructure – water, drainage, electricity, sewer and roads – will unlock residential land for development and support community growth,” Mr Stephenson said.

A review of taxation settings, including the Windfall Gains Tax, was also suggested to incentivise housing development.

“Our presentation reflected a strong commitment to advocating for practical and place-based housing solutions that support sustainable growth and liveable communities across East Gippsland,” Mr Stephenson said.

“We appreciate the Committee's engagement with regional voices and look forward to seeing meaningful outcomes.

“Our community has a growing population with housing in short supply. We need more housing now, and it's estimated we will need a further 8,500 homes to accommodate our growing population to 2041.”

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