ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
VICTORIAN Premier Daniel Andrews has clarified details about the $2 billion reinvestment of Commonwealth funds into the regional community after the government’s shock cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking in Maryborough at a press conference, the Premier said the government would deliver a $150 million workers’ accommodation fund for regional Victorian workers as part of its investment to help offset losses caused by the cancellation of the Games.
Mr Andrews did not apologise for the axing of the regional Games but instead boasted about the fast-tracked benefits regional areas would get from investment now instead of in 2026.
The Premier said the Workers Accommodation Fund “will continue to pay dividends over a long period of time”.
The state has said the funding will assist with regional job shortages across many areas in different industries and sectors and will also relieve housing market pressures.
“One of the biggest challenges of finding staff is finding them somewhere to live,” Mr Andrews said.
“We know if you train in the regions, you finish up working in the regions.”
The $150m workers’ accommodation fund will be delivered on top of the $1bn regional housing fund announced by the government on Tuesday.
The Premier was joined by the Deputy Premier, Jacinta Allan, and the Minister for Regional Development, Harriet Shing, to announce the new housing initiative that aims to increase the supply of workers’ accommodation in regional Victoria.
“Nothing is more important than finding your own home, and this package is delivering real and lasting benefits to Victorians by helping more of them live where they want to live,” Mr Andrews added.
“This is about celebrating what our great state has to offer and we’ll work with the regions to get the best outcomes for them – with the greatest benefit.”
The government says it will consult with regional employees, workers, housing providers and councils on the program design to ensure that it meets the specific needs of local communities.
The Masters Builders Victoria chief executive, Michaela Lihou, said the state government’s commitment to stick to its regional infrastructure plans after the cancellation of the Games offered a pipeline for jobs creation.
“However, MBV recognizes the significant pressures on the building sector, including operators across the Latrobe Valley. Labour, supply shortages and price increases persist,” she said.
“Rising interest rates and cost of living pressures are also key contributors to lower consumer confidence.
“The Regional Housing Fund and promise to construct 1300 houses is a welcome step forward but remains just the tip of the iceberg when addressing the crisis in affordable housing.
“The Victorian building and construction industry is resilient, and it is the reputable builders and trades people across the regions, including the Latrobe Valley, which will ensure the sector emerges from this difficult period.”
Under the government’s plans, some organisations in the workers accommodation fund will be asked to provide equal funding contributions for their projects while for others, the grant may fully fund their projects. The government is also looking to reward not-for-profit and community organisations to relieve their job shortages.
This news comes ahead of recent state government housing reform discussions, in advance of the housing statement – to be released later this year, and on top of the $1 billion investment in social and affordable housing.
According to the government, they backed the Commonwealth Games initially to showcase the best of regional sport, culture, housing and facilities.
To this end, an additional $150m was re-allocated to the Regional Tourism and Events Fund to showcase regional events, new attractions and accommodation.
Ms Shing, who is also the Member for Eastern Victoria Region, said this investment was about creating economic and job security in attracting more visitors to regional Victoria.
A further $60m of the fund will be put toward regional tourism infrastructure to attract tourists to key destinations and support the industry, and an extra $70 million will be put toward Visit Victoria.
In other funding announcements, $10 million will grow the state’s food and fibre exports, and $5m each will go to regional tourism industry development and regional multi-cultural festivals.
The state has also announced a $60 million regional community sports development fund that aims to encourage regional Victorian families and children to keep physically active, including $35 million for regional community sport infrastructure and $25 million to deliver community sport programs for football, netball, basketball, cricket, soccer, golf and shooting.
Splashing the cash, the Premier also announced a $10m investment in Tiny Towns and a further $20m in the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund.
Local councils like Latrobe City have also been praised for the ‘power of work’ they had done in lead up to the Games with a $25m support package. The funding will mean the council can still deliver planned projects to benefit the community.
In a statement released last week, the council said they acknowledged the Victorian Government’s commitment to regional Victoria through the release of the package but also expressed the disappointment felt by the community.
“The Victorian Government’s commitment to enhance our sporting infrastructure at host venues Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe, Gippsland Regional Sport and Entertainment Park in Morwell and the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon will support our region’s sporting event offering,” the council press release said.
Council said they would work closely with the government to deliver on their commitment of social and affordable housing, in line with council’s interim social affordable housing policy, addressing the pressing need for affordable and accessible housing options for our community. The council said the investment in social housing would play a crucial role in improving the living conditions and quality of life for many families in the community.
Latrobe City is also committed to advocating to ensure the region gets its share of the regional tourism and events funds.
“While the cancellation of the Games is undoubtedly disappointing, Council remains committed to actively supporting and promoting economic development in our region,” the council said.
It said it would continue to explore alternative opportunities to attract major sporting events, invest in local infrastructure projects and support initiatives that boost tourism and create employment.
