The proposal forms an action from the Affordable Housing Strategy and is defined by the State Government under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as ‘housing, including social housing that is appropriate for the housing needs of very low, low and moderate income households’.
In April 2020 Council prepared and adopted the Greater Shepparton Affordable Housing Strategy: Houses for People 2020 to investigate issues around, and barriers to, developing affordable housing in Greater Shepparton.
In late 2019, the strategy showed that Greater Shepparton had the highest homelessness rate in regional Victoria with 5.6 homeless persons per 1,000, and 1,041 households on the waiting list for social housing. Rental affordability fell by 10 per cent from 2008 to 2018, with 27 per cent of low-income households experiencing housing stress. It is expected that COVID-19 has only compounded these issues.
In late 2020, the Victorian Government announced the Big Housing Build initiative that allocates $5.3 billion in funding across Victoria for Affordable Housing purposes. A total of 18 local government areas have been identified for a Minimum Investment Guarantee, with Greater Shepparton allocated a minimum of $45 million for Affordable Housing projects.
Council recently received a request from Beyond Housing and Wintringham to provide in-principle support to construct social housing on the Council-owned Maude/Nixon Street and Edward Street car park in Shepparton. Both organisations are Registered Housing Associations with long histories of supporting vulnerable members of the Greater Shepparton community and the wider Goulburn Valley through a range of innovative housing and support services.
Although only at conceptual stage, the proposal seeks to build a four storey development retaining the public car park at ground level, residents’ car parking on the first floor, and approximately 30 dwellings on the second and third floors.
The proposed development aligns with the planning controls on the land. The Activity Centre Zone and local policy within the Greater Shepparton Planning Scheme seeks to encourage higher density development near the Maude Street Mall and residential development in the Shepparton CBD.
Upon completion, Beyond Housing and Wintringham would assume ownership and manage the site for social housing purposes. Council’s contribution would be (the sale of) gifting the Maude/Nixon Street and Edward Street Carpark land to facilitate the project, with a subsequent transfer back to the Council of ground level like-for-like (to the extent practicable) public car parking following construction of the project. Council’s contribution is estimated to be valued at $450,000.
Council will consult with land owners and the broader community in early 2022, with any submissions received to be considered at a future Council Meeting. Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe said the project seeks to address Greater Shepparton’s significant social housing needs.
“It would provide excellent amenity for future residents and enable them to access secure and appropriate housing that is within close proximity to all essential services and support that they need,” she said.
“However, before Council can consider such a proposal we must first consult with residents and businesses in the area to understand how they feel about the sale of the land. We look forward to receiving this feedback next year.
“Wintringham and Beyond Housing bring significant local and regional social housing experience, including design and management of social housing. They are valued organisations in our community, helping to address the significant social housing need that our community has.”
