THE Victorian Government is going to help fund more accommodation for healthcare workers at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW).
Premier Jacinta Allan last Friday confirmed Wangaratta's public hospital was among 20 successful applicants from across the state that will receive funding through the first round of the Victorian Government's $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.
The government grant - which is for an undisclosed amount due to commercial in confidence - will back what is total $4.4 million project to deliver nine new dwellings, consisting of both one and two-bedroom designs, located near the hospital site - believed to be in Dixon Street.
A NHW spokesperson said the accommodation will provide 16 beds in total, offering vital support to key healthcare workers who require housing in a challenging rental market.
"Northeast Health Wangaratta consistently faces high demand for staff accommodation, with a significant number of recruits needing suitable housing each year," the NHW spokesperson said.
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"This project will help reduce the strain on the current limited rental availability, ensuring that we can better meet the accommodation needs of our workforce."
NHW executive director capital, infrastructure and support services/chief procurement officer, Kim Bennetts, said the project "will make a meaningful difference for our organisation and the broader community".
"It helps address a key challenge by providing much-needed housing for our healthcare staff, who are vital to the services we deliver," she said.
"With the completion of these new dwellings, we are taking a positive step towards ensuring our workforce is well-supported, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional care to the community."
NHW remains Wangaratta's largest employer, with a workforce well over 1500, and it has a large and ongoing demand for rental accommodation.
Premier Allan said the government's Regional Worker Accommodation Fund aimed to boost affordable housing for workers and their families near their employment.
"All successful projects 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," she said.
Premier Allan said the accommodation will be built to meet the skills needs of key sectors such as health, agriculture, education, manufacturing, and tourism.
Among the successful projects was the Grollo Group's plan to build accommodation at Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Falls Creek for more than 1300 workers.
