GETTING around government requirements can in a number of instances, put individual projects on hold. One such problem has been overcoming planning restrictions for additional farm accommodation for workers.
Following a recent amendment to the legislation, farmers across Victoria can now invest in worker accommodation on their farms without the need for a planning permit.
Minister for Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas, announced an amendment to the Victoria Planning Provisions that exempts farm businesses from requiring a planning permit for on-farm accommodation for up to 10 people.
The planning permit exemption is available exclusively for accommodation for workers engaged in agriculture and must be on at least 40ha of land on a property within the Farming Zone. It must meet requirements relating to connections to electricity, water and wastewater treatment.
Increased on-farm accommodation may also contribute to improving broader housing supply issues in regional areas by reducing seasonal demand on housing in rural towns.
This complements the Victorian Government’s commitment to tackle housing shortages and other barriers to regional workforce attraction through the $5M Regional Workforce Pilots.
