Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor Cr Kylie Zanker said, “Council has listened to the community and has strongly advocated and secured increased housing stock through the RIF program.
However, due to increases in construction and material costs, Council estimates that only 10 affordable houses will be built through this allocation of funding.  Whilst this is disappointing that we cannot complete the originally budgeted 14, we want to see this project progress. 10 affordable houses is a great step in the right direction for the five communities that will directly impact from this project”.
 
Sites and locations are currently being finalised, but at present the following sites have been earmarked for construction of affordable homes: 

 
“The Warracknabeal site has been acquired via a Section 181 and will include a demolition of the derelict building to make way for the new homes. The Hopetoun and Murtoa locations are repurposing the old school sites and Rupanyup will be a new subdivision with the assistance of the Rupanyup Future Fund”, Cr Zanker said.
 
The project will now progress through the procurement phase of going out to tender. It is anticipated that this project will be completed in the 2023/24 financial year.
 
“Housing shortages is one of our biggest challenges, constraining the growth, liveability and economic strength of our communities. Rental housing is critically low in our Shire and this project aims to retain the ageing residents in the town whilst freeing up existing larger dwellings that the ageing residents live in for either sale or rent”, Cr Zanker added.
 
There has been substantial work completed to date to unlock the housing potential in the region. The Wimmera Development Association Housing Blue Print identifies a significant housing shortage across our region. For more information can be found at www.wda.org.au.
 
“Yarriambiack has a lower than the Victorian average for government housing, placing people at a disadvantage in our communities. We will be continuing our advocacy and working hard to reduce this gap in government housing for our communities”, Cr Zanker said.
 
The government housing measure indicates the proportion of total dwellings which are State or Territory housing authority dwellings (Government housing).  The proportion of government housing in Yarriambiack is lower than Victoria at 1.1%, compared to 2.1%.  Council recognises that we have less state housing authority dwellings in our Shire and are strongly advocating to increase numbers within our Communities.  
 

Council is accepting expressions of interest for the Affordable Homes project. The online expression of interest can be completed via the online form below. Enquiries can be directed to Council’s CEO Tammy Smith on info@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au or (03) 5398 0100.