Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has called on the Government to step in to address the concerns that local developers are having and ensure developments in regional areas are not stifled.
Developers have shared their concerns about the planning capabilities of local councils, with many dealing with permit delays, a lack of transparency, and difficulty in receiving council approval.
These concerns are currently pushing developers out of certain regional communities, particularly those in Ms Cleeland’s electorate of Euroa, preventing much-needed development in these towns.
Ms Cleeland said it was imperative that councils were given the appropriate level of assistance from the State Government to ensure that these issues would be minimised, and future development can go ahead.
“I have called on the Minister for Planning to introduce a planning squad that can help relieve some of the pressures that our local councils are facing,” Ms Cleeland said.
“These developers are not asking to build massive mansions or shopping centres, most of these projects are for modestly sized residential options that are so badly needed.
“We are currently in the middle of a housing crisis, particularly in regional areas, and we must look at ways to increase the opportunity for more affordable options in our communities.”
Over the last year, The Strathbogie Shire, within the Euroa Electorate, saw the largest rise in median rental prices across the entire state – up 19.1 per cent to $420 a week.
In addition to the rising rental costs, Homelessness remains a concern in the electorate – with 1183 people in the Mitchell, Strathbogie, and Benalla LGAs requiring support from specialised homelessness services from 2012 to 2019.
