Council Residential Development Opportunities on Bruce Street Site

Published on 24 March 2021

Colac Otway Shire will prepare a preferred residential development model for Council-owned land in Colac’s Bruce Street for sale, with the intent to provide a number of blocks for key worker and social/affordable housing.

Colac Otway Shire Mayor Cr Kate Hanson said Council had raised key worker shortages and the lack of affordable housing in Colac and on the coast with State and Federal Government representatives, and was focused on planning opportunities for residential development.

“Considering sale options for the land in Bruce Street, currently owned by Council, is the next important step we’ve taken to encourage residential development,” Cr Hanson said.

“Major industries, employers and even smaller businesses in Colac are struggling to fill vacancies and a key issue is the lack of housing for new employees wanting to move to the area and work.

“Council acknowledges an urgent need for residential land development in the shire and has agreed in principle to sell the land at 36-52 Bruce Street for residential development.

“Our intent is include a number of key worker and affordable/social housing opportunities as part of the sale. 

“Council officers will investigate the best outcome including the proportion of dwellings, price-point and impact on sale return for a housing development on the site.

“Officers will brief Council and then present a final report at the May 2021 Council Meeting on the preferred sale/development model before commencing a statutory process under the Local Government Act 2020 for sale of the land,” she said.

“The report will include full consideration of all options including developing the land itself, in accordance with the resolution of Council at its September 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting.”