Wel.Co managing director Andrew Welsh said the Cohuna project reflected the important role regional communities could play in Victoria’s future housing supply.
Gannawarra Shire Council chief executive Geoff Rollinson agreed, saying local employers consistently identified housing availability as a barrier to attracting and retaining workers.
Mr Rollison said projects such as this development help created the housing options needed to support local industry, businesses and essential services.
“Council welcomes the government’s recognition of the importance of this project and the role it can play in addressing housing demand in Cohuna and across the Gannawarra Shire,” he said.
Mr Welsh said his company supported plans for finding practical ways to unlock housing supply.
“Regional communities can provide people with an opportunity to enter the housing market, raise their families and build a life in places where they can live, work and thrive,” he said.
“Cohuna is a strong example — increasing housing supply can give local families and new residents more choice, help employers attract and retain workers, and support the long-term growth of the local economy.
“By working together, industry, government and councils can help bring appropriate housing supply forward in the areas where it is needed, creating more opportunities for people to call our regions home.”
Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking said he had met with major employers in Cohuna, and was told many of them were forced to transport workers from Echuca and further afield.
Mr Hosking said while working from home did provide flexibility in certain jobs, it was not the real answer for major manufacturers such as AWMA Water Solutions.
“I have spoken with AWMA, which is a cutting-edge manufacturer in everything from flood mitigation to fish screens such as the ones in Gunbower Creek,” he said.
“And I know the business would be delighted if more of its staff could find permanent homes in Cohuna — and the Wel.Co project will help deliver that.”
Recent Real Estate Institute of Victoria data puts the Cohuna median house price at $380,000, materially lower than Melbourne’s $900,000.
However, that affordability advantage is coming under increasing pressure, as regional Victorian house prices increased 8.9 per cent in the past year, compared to 2.9 per cent in Melbourne, highlighting the importance of ensuring housing supply can respond as demand grows.
Mr Welsh said his company would continue working with government, councils and regional communities to identify opportunities where new housing could support both affordability and sustainable regional growth.
“We see enormous potential in regional Victoria and support initiatives which bring government, councils and the private sector together to get appropriate housing delivered sooner,” he said.
“For us, it’s about creating well-planned communities that give more people the opportunity to call regional Victoria home.”
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