Regional Victoria must be front and centre for housing policy

INCREASED and committed funding in Victoria’s regions will be the key theme of an important roundtable to be held in Ballarat on Tuesday.

The Housing Industry Association will bring together industry leaders, businesses, community representatives and policymakers in a roundtable focused on the critical role housing will play in supporting the future growth and prosperity of regional Victoria.

The meeting will highlight findings from HIA’s Housing the Regions report and reinforce the message that regional housing must be a central pillar of housing policy for the next Victorian Government, not a secondary consideration.

While much of the housing debate remains focused on Melbourne, regional communities across Victoria are facing significant affordability, supply and workforce challenges.

Without targeted action, these challenges risk constraining economic growth, limiting investment opportunities and placing increasing pressure on regional businesses and communities, according to HIA.

The roundtable will provide an opportunity to discuss practical solutions to improve housing supply, support local industries and ensure regional communities have the homes and infrastructure needed to accommodate future growth.

Simon Croft, HIA chief executive industry and policy, said Victoria’s regional housing markets require dedicated policies and funding that reflect their unique circumstances.

“Victoria’s regions offer enormous economic and lifestyle opportunities but unlocking that potential requires a long-term commitment to housing supply backed by dedicated funding and policy support,” Croft said.

“Regional housing cannot be an afterthought in Victoria’s housing agenda.

“If we are serious about supporting economic growth, addressing housing affordability and strengthening communities, regional housing must be a central pillar of the next Victorian Government’s housing strategy.

“HIA’s Housing the Regions report highlights that regional Victoria faces many of its own housing challenges, which require dedicated policy responses rather than simply extending metropolitan solutions into regional areas.”

Croft said Ballarat and surrounding communities are among the regions that will play an increasingly important role in Victoria’s future growth.

“Ballarat continues to attract new residents, businesses and investment, but its success depends on ensuring there is sufficient housing to support that growth,” he added.

“Strong local industries need access to a skilled workforce and workers need access to quality, affordable housing. The two go hand in hand.

“Communities such as Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough and the broader Ripon electorate need housing policies that support growth, enable investment and provide greater housing choice for families, workers and older Australians.”

The roundtable will also examine opportunities to reduce barriers to new housing development, improve planning outcomes, unlock greater housing innovation and support the delivery of enabling infrastructure that unlocks new opportunities across regional Victoria.

Croft said investing in regional housing delivers benefits well beyond the housing sector.

“When regional communities have the homes they need, local businesses can grow, essential services can attract workers and families have greater choice about where they live and work,” he said.

“Regional housing should not be viewed as a secondary consideration. It is fundamental to the future prosperity and resilience of Victoria.”

The Ballarat roundtable forms part of HIA’s ongoing advocacy ahead of November’s state election to ensure housing policy supports sustainable growth across regional, rural and metropolitan Victoria.