Council Speed Dating a Success

Published on 29 November 2024

In a continued focus on creating community-based opportunities for housing, Mansfield Shire Council hosted a ‘speed dating for housing’ drop-in session on Monday 18 November 2024.

The event allowed residents and developers to have one-on-one conversations with Council staff from key areas related to building, planning and development.

Community members who had ideas, concepts or plans were invited to come along and further explore the opportunity. Each participant had a 20-30 minute session with the staff members best suited to their enquiry.

General Manager Investment and Planning Melissa Crane said Council continued to try to create opportunities for the community to create local solutions to a state-wide issue.

“The state has estimated that we have urgent and pressing housing requirements, with Victorian State Government estimates projecting that Mansfield will need 115 new dwellings annually to keep pace with growth. Currently, approximately 80 dwellings are being built each year,” she said.

“Council’s focus on town planning is balancing how we address the need for housing while keeping the character and amenity of Mansfield Shire. We’re having frank conversations with developers to make sure we meet housing demand while keeping Mansfield country and retaining the natural environment that attracts people here to begin with.

“We are open for business but we want this to be driven by the community. Locals can provide the best solutions for the diverse housing market we need to supply. Council is here to help – the speed dating forum was a good demonstration of how we can continue to come together to address these issues.”

Recent data highlights the urgent need for more housing to support the Shire’s growing population. According to the Victorian State Government’s housing requirements, Mansfield is projected to need 115 new dwellings annually to keep pace with growth. However, current construction is falling short, with only 80 dwellings being built each year. In total, Mansfield requires an additional 3,172 dwellings by 2044, with a shortfall of 1,574 homes expected.

The drop-in session saw 21 participants, including private residents, business owners, commercial investors, housing funding applicants, and professional developers. A total of 14 potential development enquiries were raised, with ideas ranging from adding additional dwellings to existing properties, subdividing land for multiple allotments, and addressing the housing needs of workers in the region.

“The team has been achieving great turnaround times for planning permits. We’re doing our best to eliminate the red-tape involved in planning and building and it was great to see participants getting information from many areas within Council to streamline permit processing down the track,” she said.

For more information or to discuss ideas, opportunities or concepts with Council, email council@mansfield.vic.gov.au.