The Weekly Advertiser – Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Page 1

Vol. No. Vol. 2418No. 3827

FREE PUBLICATION

A FREE PUBLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS 3WM AND MIXXFM

Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, April13, 6, 2022

CALL ME CRAZY: Horsham Holy Trinity Lutheran College students, from left, Peter Smith, Jackson Ellis and Oliver McDonald enjoy ‘Crazy Hair Day’ celebrations. For more pictures, visit theweeklyadvertiser.com.au. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Housing solutions BY MICHAEL SCALZO

A

Wimmera development leader has emphasised a priority for regionally unique housing to ensure the Wimmera takes advantage of a post-COVID migration increase from metropolitan cities.

Wimmera Development Association chief executive Chris Sounness welcomed the Federal Government’s 2022-23 Federal Budget expansion of the first-home buyers scheme by 35,000 places and a further 10,000 places for regional buyers.

However, he emphasised the expansion was only one part of a larger suite of community-focused and regionally specific housing policies needed to ensure the Wimmera capitalised on regional migration. He said if it was assumed Wimmera first-home buyers received a similar percentage of spots on the government-funded scheme as previously, an increase in first-home buyers to the market was still not a housingsolution ‘game-changer’. “If we look at the percentage of homes likely to be used under the scheme in the region, as a percentage

of the five to 10 percent of Australian sales covered by the scheme – it might equate to an increase of 20 Wimmera first-home buyers,” he said. “It is not really a game-changer, it doesn’t really change the supply equation much either.” Mr Sounness said the association remained eager to increase the supply of appropriate housing and the number of social and affordable housing options – solutions he expected to have a much greater impact. “The increase to the scheme is not a bad thing. It is just not a silver bullet,” he said.

“Solutions are like little puzzle pieces and of course the Wimmera’s puzzle pieces are unique and crafted for our own circumstantial situation.” Mr Sounness said an increase to the number of medium-density housing in the region would specifically allow older residents appropriate housing options to downsize. “Those family-sized homes are then released into the market,” he said. “Medium-density housing will also allow young couples, students and temporary workers, who might relocate to the region to fill holes in

the job market, appropriate housing options.” Regional-focused Australian policyadvocacy group Regional Australia Institute, which launched its newest discussion paper last week, proposed similar solutions to regional housing issues. The report, Building the Good Life: Meeting the demand for regional housing; suggested inadequate housing in many regional communities continued to constrain ‘local’ economic growth and development. Continued page 3

ININ THIS ISSUE • Crisis accommodation plan • Quantong residents stand •strong • Football-netball club action THIS ISSUE • Life-changing donation • Cricketer farewelled Your football-netball artisanHP1027

Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

AUDITED: 22,403 22,507 COPIES

April 2020 October 2020 to September to September 2020 2021

Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au

School Holiday Fun!

11 TO 14 APRIL- 11AM TO 3PM HORSHAM

PLAZA K MART • SPOTLIGHT • THE REJECT SHOP BEST AND LESS • SPECIALTY STORES WWW.HORSHAMPLAZA.COM.AU DARLOT STREET HORSHAM

Mon 11th Tues 12th Wed 13th Thurs 14th

Wood Feathers Rainbow Stitch Solar System Woven Mats

DAILY CRAFT - ONLY $4 EACH


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.