The Victorian Government has today announced a feasibility study and shared services pilot to bring more Municipal Building Surveyor services to local councils.
It’s hoped the move will help to speed up local housing and planning approvals across Victoria’s Wimmera and Mallee regions – unlocking much needed supply.
Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Michaela Settle, today represented Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney at a Government-backed housing development in Murtoa to announce the study and pilot program.
The Government is backing the pilot with a $200,000 grant, led by Yarriambiack Shire Council. The council will work in partnership with Buloke, Hindmarsh and Loddon shires, as well as Swan Hill Rural City Council.
“Municipal Building Surveyors play a crucial role in supporting the safe and timely delivery of commercial and residential buildings, and this project promises to bring more of these services to the Wimmera and the Mallee,” said Ms Settle.
“From supporting the provision of housing to driving economic growth, this project will support these five councils to continue helping the development of thriving businesses and communities.”
Rural Councils Victoria Chair, Councillor Mary-Ann Brown, welcomed today’s anouncement.
“Rural communities are in desperate need of more housing and this trial will assist in addressing the housing challenges faced by these rural communities,” she said.
“It is pleasing to see that government has taken the RCV Rural Housing Action Plan into consideration and is delivering on the ask to increase rural expertise and capacity to deliver housing projects.
“Rural Councils Victoria is looking forward to working closely with the government to see more projects like this delivered in rural Victorian communities,” said Cr Brown.
The project will be delivered in three phases. It will first identify the challenges and opportunities around sharing surveying services between councils, before establishing a ‘Shared Service Hub’ to support the participating councils with more cost-effective access to surveying services.
The Hub will provide a Municipal Building Surveyor service that can be engaged in a shared manner by all five local councils, instead of councils needing to engage individual services.
The third phase will evaluate the program and lead to recommendations that can potentially be replicated across other regional councils.
“This initiative will make it easier for regional councils to access the building surveyor services they need, helping to fast-track property development in communities like the Wimmera and Mallee,” said Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney.
“We’re proud to work with Rural Councils Victoria to back innovative ideas such as shared services, supporting rural communities to deliver the housing and infrastructure essential for their economic growth.”
The feasibility study will run until early 2026, and the outcomes will then be shared widely with all rural and regional Councils, so other regions can consider setting up their own Hubs to speed up approvals.
For more information, visit rdv.vic.gov.au.
