February 14th, 2022Improving lives and livelihoods

The State Government is providing a boost for regional builders during the pandemic through public housing works that have created thousands of local jobs right across the state.

Almost $500 million has been invested to upgrade and maintain more than 23,000 social housing units across Victoria and build 168 new social housing dwellings.
The government funding has meant businesses such as Kepal Building Services, a Bendigo construction company, could continue to employ local staff. This business has been able to employ 34 staff and keep 300 contractors on the books.
The maintenance funding, which has created more than 2,900 jobs across Victoria, includes work such as painting, roofing, fencing, and smaller renovations of kitchens and bathrooms in public housing to improve liveability.
A further $30 million has been invested to upgrade and maintain up to 450 Specialist Disability Accommodation facilities across Victoria.
This funding, combined with the Victorian Government’s landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, has helped keep the building and construction sector humming during the pandemic.
The Big Housing Build – the largest single investment in social and affordable housing in Australia’s history – is delivering more than 12,000 new homes across Victoria, while creating 10,000 jobs per year over the four years of the program.
Minister for Housing Richard Wynne said:
“A quarter of the Big Housing Build spend – that’s $1.25 billion – will be invested in regional areas, ensuring the economic and social benefits of the program are felt in communities right across the state.”
“Government funding like this not only boosts the construction sector, but also helps our state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said: “Builders have been able to carry out external work such as painting, gardening and fencing, which has kept business and industry going, while at the same time ensuring our communities have been kept safe.”
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said:
“Our Big Housing Build guarantees that a minimum of $85 million will be spent in the Bendigo area – that’s great for economic stimulus and for ensuring locals share in this important investment.”