Housing help: Victorian Housing Minister Harriet Shing inspects a new social housing development in Mooroopna.
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Nicola Ceccato
Economically, 2024 seems to have started much the same way as 2023 finished, with the cost of living in general and housing in particular as key issues.
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Federal Labor politicians were recalled early to Canberra to discuss the cost-of-living crisis, with changes to planned tax cuts announced.
Meanwhile, a new Productivity Commission report is unlikely to have eased the anxiety of many.
For a region like the Goulburn Valley that is especially feeling the housing crisis, the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services provides little comfort for those experiencing housing stress — or homelessness.
The Council to Homeless Persons said the commission’s report showed Victoria was placed last for public and community dwellings.
Another social housing organisation, Everybody’s Home, called on the Federal Government to prioritise housing affordability in its cost-of-living relief package, saying the Productivity Commission’s report revealed that almost one in two people on Commonwealth Rent Assistance were still in housing stress.
And then Homelessness Australia said the Productivity Commission report found a 23 per cent jump in people exiting homelessness support into rough sleeping.
All this while the latest PropTrack Market Insight Report revealed that the rental vacancy rate in regional Victoria fell in November by 0.03 percentage points month-on-month to sit at 0.99 per cent.
Victorian Housing Minister Harriet Shing visited the site of 20 new social homes in Mooroopna on Thursday, January 18, the latest development in Greater Shepparton, but all service providers agree a lot more needs to be provided.
Government talks up jobs growth
The Victorian Government is boasting of an increase in jobs growth for the state, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force figures showing an extra 5600 jobs were created in regional Victoria in December.
The government said regional unemployment in Victoria sat at three per cent, compared with the national regional average of 3.3 per cent, and that more than 36,000 new jobs have been created in regional Victoria in the past 12 months alone.
In town: The Small Business Bus is to make a stop in Shepparton.
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Small Business Bus stop
The Greater Shepparton Business Centre says the Small Business Bus will be in Maude St, Shepparton, on Wednesday, February 21, from 10am to 4pm.
The bus is a mobile support program providing free one-on-one advice and support for small businesses.
Business recovery advisers, who can assist with tailored advice to help strengthen your business, and position you for recovery, will also be available.
Confidential 45-minute sessions can also be booked.
More information can be gained by contacting the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on 5832 1100 or gsbc@shepparton.vic.gov.au
Events relating to mental health first aid, cyber security and protecting your business, and winning government grants and tenders are also being held in February.
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