December 30th, 2025Irymple welcomes a new community of key workers

Irymple has welcomed a new community of key workers after 10 new houses were built in the Mallee town.

The completion of the housing project is one of dozens supported across the state through the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.

The fund invests in accommodation projects that help regional employers attract and retain essential workers, who in turn contribute to the area’s liveability, prosperity and opportunity. In Irymple, where the population has increased rapidly, those workers include professionals in law enforcement, healthcare and childcare.

Completed ahead of schedule by local builder MCBG Karadoc, the project has transformed a previously empty cul-de-sac into a vibrant new part of the community, with the 10 houses already occupied or allocated to incoming tenants.

This includes a local police officer, who moved to Irymple to develop his new career with Victoria Police. The first tenant into the development, the officer, is now a key part of the community – both professionally through law enforcement, and personally, through his connections in town such as the local footy club.

Similarly, the housing project has meant that local childcare operator Sean Dowsley has been able to secure four more staff to meet the high demand for childcare services at his Country Bunch Early Learning centre in Irymple.

In addition to accommodation for new key workers, the housing project also created new jobs and engaged 51 local businesses, from hardware suppliers and fence-builders through to electricians and tilers.

There are now more than 40 projects being supported by the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, unlocking around $370 million in new housing investment for thousands of regional workers.

Link: rdv.vic.gov.au