Friday 15 November 2024

The Allan Labor Government is backing more regional businesses to attract the workers they need, with another round of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund now open.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes welcomed the opening of applications for this program’s second round.

The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund supports shovel-ready projects, with co-investment from private businesses, industries, regional councils, or local community groups to deliver the worker housing that local industries and workforces need to support communities in regional Victoria to thrive for years to come.

Eligible local housing projects will be fit-for-purpose to meet the skills needs of key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, manufacturing, and tourism – from self-contained units, worker villages, family dwellings, shared accommodation, and studios – and unique to the needs of the local community.

Regional Victorian cities and towns that have robust, shovel-ready ideas in partnership with local business and industry are strongly encouraged to apply in this second round.

The opening of applications for round two comes on the back of last month’s announcement of funding for more than 20 successful projects that unlock nearly $250 million in combined private and public investment through the program’s first round, boosting affordable housing options for workers and their families.

Successful projects from the first round of the Fund include Northeast Health who will build 16 bedrooms for healthcare workers in Wangaratta, Goulburn Valley Health who will build 18 bedrooms for healthcare workers in Shepparton and Murrindindi Shire Council who will build 33 bedrooms for various workers in Eildon.

To see the full list of first round recipients of the fund visit: https://www.jaclynsymes.com-building-new-homes-for-thousands-of-regional-workers/

The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is part of the Labor Government’s record $45 billion investment in regional and rural Victoria since 2014. The fund is one of the ways regional and rural Victorian cities and towns are being becoming even better places to live, work, stay, and play.

Applications will open from Monday, 18 November to Friday, 31 January. For more information about the fund, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/rwaf.

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“This program will help our communities in Northern Victoria secure much-needed housing for local workers, supporting regional businesses to grow and thrive.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney

“We’re working closely with private sector businesses, industry and community groups to build the homes and accommodation our towns need – supporting Victoria’s regions to have the skilled workers they need so our communities can prosper.”

“The second round of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is one of the ways we’re creating more housing where it’s needed most.”