Perhaps there is some relief from the housing crisis being felt across Greater Shepparton, with a new land release coming online.
Uptown 3631, playing on Shepparton’s postcode for its name, is located at 430 Numurkah Rd, just before Grammar Park on the right as you drive out of town.
The signs have gone up and a website, www.uptown3631.com.au, will happily register your interest in a block.
That same website makes the bold prediction that “Uptown is unlike anything Shepparton has seen before. More connection, more choice and more convenience”.
It also says that Uptown is “the community that prides itself on being bold, friendly and inclusive” even before a house has been built, which is quite the achievement.
State budget no ‘big build’ for GV
The Andrews Government seems to have said no to Shepparton when it comes to new major infrastructure projects in the 2022/23 budget announced on Tuesday, May 23.
No Shepparton bypass, or even a second crossing of the Goulburn River in the area, despite last October’s floods emphasising the need for one.
No stage two of the hospital redevelopment.
No stadium rebuild.
Numurkah, however, gets a commitment of up to $55 million for a new nursing home, as well as a new early learning centre.
Rochester, Seymour and Shepparton also get early learning centres while Heathcote and Rochester get VicSES Emergency Hubs.
Rochester will also have its police station rebuilt.
There is also $677 million committed to “ongoing flood recovery”.
Regional jobs vacancies reach record levels
The Regional Australia Institute says its latest report, Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge, identifying the biggest gaps in critical roles, has found that there’s a job vacancy line in regional Australia as long as the title of the RAI’s report.
Regional job advertisements grew three times faster than in metropolitan Australia by the end of 2022.
RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie said the report “shines a light on the unprecedented challenge playing out in regional Australia”, with labour supply struggling to keep up with demand.
“Tight housing markets and childcare access constraints are impacting regions’ ability to fill roles with people from outside the area,” Ms Ritchie said.
The report found that demand for workers in the regions hit record levels in 2022, with December recording a 10 per cent annual increase in the number of roles advertised, outpacing growth in capital cities, which was three per cent.
In October 2022, the Internet Vacancy Index reported that regional job vacancies grew to 94,100, more than double pre-pandemic levels.
The top four most in-demand roles as found by the RAI report were:
- Medical practitioners and nurses – 6166
- General inquiry clerks, call centre workers and receptionists – 5941
- Carers and aides – 5416
- Sales assistants and salespersons – 4527
For a full copy of the RAI’s Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge, go to www.regionalaustralia.org.au