MEMBER for Bass Jordan Crugnale today announced that Bass Coast Health has been successful in the first round of the $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund. One of more than 20 projects which will boost housing for workers and their families across Victoria.
The health service will receive $5 million towards the $13 million project that will deliver a purpose-built, hotel-style accommodation facility on vacant land at the Wonthaggi Hospital for key health workers and their families.
Jordan Crugnale stated that ‘this project will increase the supply of accommodation for health workers, reduce Bass Coast Health’s reliance on leasing other residential properties and hotel accommodation which in turn will free up housing supply for the broader rental market in our region. As our community grows, so too does the need for health services and we want our community to get the care and support they need close to home’.
“This is a much-needed project that will provide health workers and their families with accommodation right near where they work, helping to attract and retain workers and freeing up local supply,” Ms Crugnale said.
Acting Bass Coast Health CEO, Shaun Brooks, welcomed the announcement for the Staff Accommodation Facility (SAF) Project and reiterated the housing challenge for BCH as they expand health services.
“Like most regional health services, we have Melbourne-based specialists and health workers come for two or more shifts. Offering local accommodation ensures we are able to offer many of these clinical services, including critical medical, nursing and allied health. Having the SAF onsite will also reduce travel time for on-call workers housed in other towns,” he said.
Mr Brooks also acknowledged BCH had received excellent support from Bass Coast Shire Council, Alfred Health, Local Member of Parliament Jordan Crugnale and the State Minister for Health.
“I’d like to thank them for helping us highlight the need for this facility which will benefit our community by allowing BCH to continue to provide high-quality healthcare closer to home. Together, we'll make our vision for onsite staff housing a reality,” Mr Brooks said.
All successful projects across the state are shovel-ready and include co-investment from private businesses, industries or local community groups – unlocking nearly $250 million in combined private and public investment in new regional housing.
Each local housing project will be unique to the area – from self-contained units, worker villages, family dwellings, shared accommodation, and studios – and will be built to meet the skills needs of key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, manufacturing, and tourism.
The Regional Worker Accommodation Fund is part of the Labor Government’s $45 billion investment in regional and rural Victoria since 2014.
The more than 20 projects supported through the first round of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund will be announced over the coming days. For more information, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/rwaf.
