A NEW report has outlined the next steps towards solutions for the region’s housing crisis, following the success of the Swan Hill Housing Summit.
Regional Housing Victoria has released a detailed overview of the outcomes from November’s summit, as well as offering recommendations and localised solutions to support future housing and accommodation needs.
“The vision has been clear: addressing the housing shortage would unlock the potential for businesses to grow and diversify, for service industries such as education and health to attract a workforce committed to the area and for the long term, sustainable economic prosperity for the region as a major support hub,” the report said.
The report noted that the key conclusions to emerge from the summit were that the region’s economic drivers were sound, that all sectors are detrimentally affected by the housing problem, that there is a need for all forms of housing, and that there is support to invest locally in housing.
It outlined five major areas for action:
Committee for Greater Swan Hill – The implementation of an ambitious agenda to create additional housing will require careful coordination. A Committee for Greater Swan Hill could comprise representatives from key sectors with a willingness and capacity to support local action while also advocating to state and national government on behalf of the region.
Shaping private investment – Rather than waiting for government (or anybody else) to resolve the shortage of housing, there is great interest in direct, local investment in housing. A group of investors, developers and builders could collectively address many of the barriers to increasing housing stock, whilst making a financial return.
Shaping public investment – Competition for state and federal funding is extreme. The public services bodies in the region have the capacity to support a coordinated campaign to promote the region as destination for capital funding from a range of sources.
Lighthouse projects – Outstanding, clever, and creative projects that demonstrate a “can do” attitude will benefit the whole community. The municipality has some excellent projects which could shine a light on the region.
Community connections – This ambitious agenda will alter perceptions of the region as it moves further towards being a major export/service/manufacturing/agricultural hub. Much of the agenda will change the perceptions of people outside the region, but it makes sense to connect with local communities during this period of transition.
Swan Hill Mayor Stuart King told The Guardian he was not surprised by the five key outcomes, and was particularly pleased with the recommendation of a Committee for Greater Swan Hill.
“As a mayor, I couldn’t be prouder that there are people in this municipality that want to drive growth, they want to drive development, and as part of that, they want to come together to solve problems, one of those problems being housing,” he said.
“I was just really encouraged as to how many people came (to the summit), and that they were willing to make such a valuable contribution, which is obviously then captured in the report.”
While the council has not yet had a chance to discuss the report, which was released over the holiday break, Cr King is confident his fellow councillors will be keen to move forward with some of the recommendations.
“I would expect that councillors would get on board and endorse this committee for Greater Swan Hill, and that’s probably the first place to start to start driving the future,” he said.
