THERE is no easy fix to overcrowding of houses in Robinvale, according to local councillor John Katis.
An influx of workers living in the town and surrounding areas means more and more people are requiring housing.
The Robinvale area produces many varied products, with the industries farming the area becoming more diverse over the years.
The production of carrots, grapes, almonds and olives are among the many different industries now bringing hundreds of workers to the small town throughout the year.
With this diversification has come an increased number of workers staying in the town for longer time periods — the work is no longer limited to harvest, with some industries employing casual and permanent employees year-round.
Attributed to this influx, an issue with housing in the area has also arisen with reported overcrowding in some homes — which may or may not be licensed rooming houses.
Currently, there are only two rooming houses registered within the municipality — one in Robinvale and one in Swan Hill.
Swan Hill Rural City Cr Katis said there was a problem with overcrowding of homes in Robinvale, but that it would take a combined effort to combat it.
This would involve multiple tiers of government as well as industry.
“For some years I have lobbied for more low-income homes in Robinvale – why – because of itinerant workers in Robinvale,” Cr Katis said.
“The [homes] that were vacant were taken up very quickly.
“[On-farm accommodation] is all full now because they now have 12 months of work, and if they don’t have 12 months of work they might allow it to become a rental.
“So there is a need for low-income housing – especially for families.”
He said the problem had begun about 15 years ago when “we were having an economic boom with horticulture”.
This time has seen local industry take on more workers, but Cr Katis said a figure could not easily be applied.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly 2200 people live in the Robinvale township, increasing to nearly 4000 when including the surrounding area.
But Cr Katis said the towns population could be up to doubled at certain times.
He said past efforts from council to alleviate the problem involved a plan to build a retirement village that has since fallen through and rezoning land to create more residential areas.
For the full story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (April 11).
