Greater Shepparton City Council will consider a proposal to sell land at 45 Parkside Dve for a potential social housing project by Women’s Housing Ltd.
The proposal is to build 45 dwellings on the vacant land behind the Bangerang Cultural Centre.
The development would border the existing residential area along Evergreen Way.
The housing would be developed specifically for low-income and at-risk women and their children.
WHL is the lead agency in Victoria in the provision of affordable housing for women, with some 600 properties in its property portfolio.
The recommendation in the officer’s report to the council is to provide in-principle support and advertise an intention to sell the land which would be subject to a public consultation process.
The controversial plan to develop social housing above a council-owned car park in Shepparton’s central business district won’t be back before councillors at the council meeting on Tuesday, February 15, with the period for public responses to the notice of intention to sell the air space above the car park extended.
Council will also consider joining the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national lobby group that campaigns against casino, pokies and other forms of gambling at the meeting.
The recommendation is for City of Greater Shepparton to become a leadership council with the alliance for two years at a cost of $30,000.
Annual expenditure on electronic gaming machines in City of Greater Shepparton is $674 a head of adult population compared to the Victorian average of $532.
The report to the council lists the perception that membership and advocacy against gambling would be a threat to businesses, especially the eight venues that hold licences for EGMs in Greater Shepparton.
Mitchell Shire is the only regional Victorian council to hold membership although the Municipal Association of Victoria was a foundation member of the alliance.
The Greater Shepparton City Council meeting will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, February 15.