Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn, state Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes and Harnest contract administrator Alexa Lea turning the sod at the site where 48 new homes will soon be built in Benalla.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
More people will have a place to call home thanks to a new social housing investment in Benalla.
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State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes visited a new housing development in Benalla West on Thursday, May 28, where construction is now under way.
The $30 million project will deliver 48 new energy efficient and environmentally sustainable homes and will be completed in 2027.
The new homes — a mix of 29 social homes and 19 affordable homes — will replace 21 social homes that were previously on the site that were no longer fit for purpose and did not meet the needs of local people.
The aim of these affordable homes is to give Victorians access to housing at a more affordable rent.
Social housing will be for applicants on the Victorian Housing Register who have nominated Benalla as their preferred location.
The new homes will be modern, comfortable and environmentally sustainable, and located near parkland, transport, schools and services.
They will improve the quality of housing and public spaces in the Benalla West area.
As well as the new housing, the neighbouring Waminda Park will be upgraded with new barbecue facilities, a picnic table, play equipment, trees, vegetation and improved lighting.
Ms Symes said that through the $6.3 billion Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund, the government was delivering more than 13,300 social and affordable homes right across Victoria, with more than 11,800 homes already complete or under way.
“We all know that housing is required everywhere across the state,” she said.
“To be in my home town, in an area that I know really needed the upgrades, and to mark this sod turning is a particularly proud moment for me.
“In the community here, obviously a lot of people have moved out, and they have a right to return, which is a really exciting opportunity for people to move back into a brand-new home.
“We know that the homes that were demolished, they’re not missed.
The new development in Benalla will feature a mix of 29 social homes and 19 affordable homes.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“Building more social and affordable housing, like this development here in Benalla West, will help future generations live a more stable life, while also creating thousands of jobs right across the state.”
Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn said it was a great project for the community.
“Hopefully, it'll do what it needs to do to bring all of the people who want to come back and include new people to this area,” she said.
“The houses look fantastic, and we look forward to seeing them built.”
Victorian Housing and Building Minister Nick Staikos said that in addition to the funding for the Benalla West project, more than $17 million had been invested in Benalla through the government’s social housing programs to build 54 new homes.
“Every Victorian deserves safe and secure housing and that’s why we’re investing record amounts of funding to build new social and affordable homes, including here in Benalla West,” he said.
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