Greater Shepparton City Council has voted to begin the process of selling a parcel of land in the city for future health services and health staff accommodation to be built on.
The land, consisting of two blocks across an area council is referring to as 45 Parkside Dve in Shepparton North, was once the focus of a proposal to build 45 affordable dwellings, but that fell through in 2022 when it failed to attract funding.
Instead, at its monthly meeting on November 21, council decided to initiate proceedings that could lead to two blocks of land being sold to the Victorian Department of Health and/or GV Health.
One is a 5985 sqm block for the construction of an early parenting centre, and the second is a 7761 sqm block for GV Health staff accommodation.
Cr Ben Ladson, who moved the motion proposing the statutory process for the sale be started, said the concept was an exciting prospect.
“This potential project really excites me,” he told the meeting.
“Being a young father myself, I know how important it is to have a building of this calibre, local to all residents and available to all residents, and I’m just so excited for the project.”
Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy said if successful, the proposal would be a win for the community in many ways.
“We know that’s reasonably close to GV Health, which is the biggest employer in this region, and we know that accommodation is at a premium, so this is a real win for the community here,” he said.
“It’s a real win for early parenting. It’s a good win for GV Health. It’s a good win for our whole community.”
Cr Fern Summer also spoke in favour of the proposal, saying if it proceeded, it would help bring health professionals to the area.
“As a nurse, this makes me incredibly happy because we know that (a child’s) early years are the most important years,” she said.
“That’s when we set our foundations for life, and if we get that right, we have a happier community.”
Cr Sam Spinks said the proposed developments would be an opportunity for the estate in that area to be completed and urged nearby residents to have their say during the public consultation process.
“This is an opportunity to once again make sure that we’re getting that right in considering that larger estate and how to best make it the neighbourhood that you deserve,” she said.
Cr Seema Abdullah said the failure of the previous social housing proposal to win funding was a disappointment but that the new proposal would also be a positive for the community.
“Yes, it was a bit of a disappointment when the grant application from Women’s Housing Ltd was not successful, and we were just wondering ‘what next?’, but what has come now before us is very encouraging,” she said.
“First of all, because the two projects that are identified, they are going to address some critical needs for this community.”
Cr Geoff Dobson also encouraged residents in the Parkside Dve area to provide feedback.
“I encourage the residents of the area to be part of the process whether they’re for it or against it, and let’s hope they’re for it because we need their input as to the balance of the land as well,” he said.
“I think it’s fantastic that Goulburn Valley Health has recognised the site as being ideal for housing.”
Cr Dinny Adem pointed out that the proposed development would be on part of the former International Village site and would be a welcome addition to the area.
“This is really a ‘build it and they will come’ type of project. Having a professional services type facility in that area, I think, will give a lift to the whole area. Absolutely,” he said.
Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Shane Sali said it was early in the process of the proposals, with council declaring its intent for the land in question.
“It’s just the early stages of our intent that we’re willing to start conversations with these organisations and hope that we can get a positive outcome,” he said.
Cr Sali said he hoped council’s decision would help provide certainty for residents in the area after the previous social housing proposal was unsuccessful.
“Our priority is to utilise our vacant residential land for really important investment,” he said.
“So at the end of the day, we’ve got a parcel of land that has been identified by two important organisations to support staff, housing, for critical needs as well as the early parenting centre.”
GV Health has welcomed council’s decision, describing it as “very positive” but saying there’s a “detailed statutory and regulatory process” to go through before both projects are realised.