IT will take years to develop a housing strategy for Alpine Shire, according to Mayor John Forsyth.
He said housing availability and affordability issues need more than a short-term approach.
“We have designed a pipeline of strategic work to help address these complex issues into the future,” Cr Forsyth said.
“Council's Land Development Strategy is currently being undertaken, and we have commenced work on an Affordable Housing Analysis and Action Plan which will look at the range of affordable housing issues and options for addressing them.
“However, there is a larger piece of strategic planning work to be undertaken over the next few years to support the development of a wider Housing Strategy and then the appropriate Planning Scheme Amendments that may flow from this.”
Meanwhile, a pilot program to address a shortage of available housing for key workers in the Alpine Shire has received a $260,000 boost with a grant from the Victorian Government.
There is currently a critical shortage of affordable housing for key workers in the Alpine Shire, which is having a severe economic flow-on effect.
Council highlighted the issue to politicians and advisors during the regional sitting of Parliament in Bright in April.
Cr Forsyth said work is already underway on a Key Worker Housing Pilot Program to address the shortage of key workers in local communities in the short-term.
“We’re extremely grateful for this funding, which will help us work with our community and implement this unique pilot program,” he said.
“We have already connected with key stakeholders and gained a strong understanding of the issue - we can now progress with project planning, creating a key worker registry and working with our communities to address this issue.
“We are working with local real estate agents and accommodation providers and will be engaging with local chambers of commerce in the design of the program.”
