An announcement today by the Victorian Government that it will deliver 1,300 social and affordable homes across regional Victoria has been welcomed by Master Builders Victoria (MBV).

The government says the homes will be delivered through the $1 billion Regional Housing Fund, with the first 1,000 homes set to be delivered from the Mallee through to Gippsland, with the biggest number of 238 homes set to be built in the Barwon region. 

MBV CEO Michaela Lihou says the government’s focus on boosting affordable housing across regional Victoria is good news for both local communities and regional builders.

“As members of the Housing Affordability Partnership, we work hard to make sure that the concerns of our regional members are heard and we will be offering their feedback as the Partnership meets to look at new models for change across regional Victoria, before reporting back to the government in March 2025,” she says.

Ms Lihou also welcomed the government’s plan to introduce a more even approach to infrastructure funding across all of regional Victoria.

“Clearly the infrastructure requirements for regional Victoria is different to metro Melbourne, but equally important that growth in our regions is appropriately supported with practical and accessible infrastructure from roads to open spaces.”

“But just as we are calling for in response to the news of metropolitan infrastructure reforms, across our regions we also need to see clarity about where and how a developer’s infrastructure contributions are spent and why.”

MBV also welcome the support for regional planning through the Regional Planner Cadetship Program as part of the Regional Planning Hubs.

“Any additional resources that help to streamline the planning process will assist the building industry to deliver more homes more quickly.”

ENDS:

Media enquiries – Leigh McClusky 0411 711 780