Council seeks ideas on affordable housing

Published on 08 November 2022

Hepburn Shire Council is inviting the community to help to guide a strategy and action plan to increase affordable housing availability across the Shire.

The development of the strategy and action plan is a key output of the Council Plan 2021-25 to create a healthy supported and empowered community.

The most recent Census shows there are 2,008 unoccupied homes in the Shire, twice the Victorian average. Around ten percent of homes in the Shire are listed on short stay accommodation websites, which means even though there might be enough houses, there is not enough housing.

“Our Shire is a wonderful place to visit, but it is also a wonderful place to live. Unfortunately, the lack of affordable housing means fewer people are able to make our Shire their home,” said Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie.

“This affects people on lower incomes but also those in key jobs that we need to support our services and local businesses like hospitality, tourism, farm workers, nurses and other carers,” said Cr Drylie.

Council has released an issues and options paper outlining data on local housing, and approaches that may help to address the short supply of affordable housing.

“Most factors that drive housing affordability and the availability of housing are outside the direct control of local government and sit with State and Federal Government and the private sector,” said Cr Drylie.

“However, there are some things councils can do such as advocating on behalf of the community, using the planning system, creating incentives and bringing key partners together.

“The issues and options paper will help the community to understand and assess the options available to Council, and to provide feedback on the best ideas for action.”

Council is looking to hear from everyone about their ideas and experiences. This includes people who own or rent a home in the Shire, business operators, people who are looking to live here, or those who have had to leave due to a lack of housing options.

“It’s important that we get a range of views and ideas, which will help to inform our Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan,” said Cr Drylie.

Council will hold an online webinar from 5pm to 6pm on Wednesday 16 November to discuss the themes of affordable housing and how people can be involved in the project.

A survey is also open until Sunday 4 December, and pop-up sessions will be held over coming weeks in Creswick, Glenlyon, Clunes, Trentham and Daylesford.

Information on the project is available at Council’s Participate Hepburn website. Printed surveys and the issues and options paper are also available at Council libraries and hubs.

Council will also host an Affordable Housing Solutions Forum in February 2023, with community members able to register their interest to attend.

-    Of the 9,477 private homes in the Shire, 2,008 are unoccupied (21%) - twice the Victorian average (2021 Census).

-    Nearly all homes (94.5%) are separate houses, and most of those have three or more bedrooms (72.8%). 

-    Rents have increased by 51% over the past ten years.

-    The median rent is $295 per week.

-    A single person on the aged pension would be spending more than 60% of their income on rent at that level.

-    In the year to June 2021, there were 20% (or 58) fewer private rental listings in Hepburn Shire.

-    At least 1,000 homes are listed online for short stay accommodation (e.g. Airbnb), roughly 10% of all dwellings.

-    There are currently 500 active short-stay rentals advertised in the Daylesford area, 96% are entire homes. This has increased by 51 properties since July 2019. (AirDNA).