Affordable Social Housing Plan

The Warburton Advancement League include personnel from ADRA who have clearly and succinctly identified a significant need for a greater number of social and affordable housing options in the Upper Yarra. 

A working group was formed in 2021 to develop solutions that can provide greater social housing stock in our area to meet this need and to be able to work within the current planning frameworks. 

The most cost-effective method of achieving this Social and Affordable Housing concept will be establishing a new Residential Land Leas, which can comply within the existing planning rules and not require any subdivisions or consolidations.

An MHE is created under the Caravan Park Regulations, which has successfully been rolled out across Victoria by businesses such as Lifestyle Communities and the like. 

The Laws and Regulations already exist for establishing short term from 1 to 5-year tenancy agreements under Part 4 of the Residential Tenancies Act and regulated by the Residential Tenancies (Caravan Park and Moveable Dwelling Registration and Standards) Regulations 2022 so no new laws need be created. 

We have set down some criteria based on the specific needs of our region which are: 

  • We would like to provide an initial boost to Social and Affordable housing stock of between 10 to 15 homes within the Warburton district. 
  • These homes need to be close to schools and public transport. 
  • The homes would need to be managed by an accredited Registered Housing Provider with a local presence, preferably onsite. 
  • At least 2 homes be maintained for short-term family crisis accommodation. 
  • These homes be managed with the intent of providing leases for up to say 5 years with the intent of assisting these people to obtain longer-term affordable accommodation. I.e. they not be used for long-term accommodation. Albeit, this would not be ruled out from future stages of this style of project. 
  • We would like to establish a mix of two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four bedrooms homes to cater for a range of family needs. 
  • We would like to ensure that the rents on these homes are affordable and provide access to financial counselling to assist these people in obtaining longer- term affordable accommodation. 
  • The homes need to be located with nearby access to public transport, schools and shops 
  • Based on the planning constraints in the Warburton area that prevent housing blocks from being subdivided into less than 4000 sqm. This makes finding a large single parcel of land capable of accommodating between 10 to 15 homes a challenge. 

The Cerini Centre

The ideal site we feel that would meet all the criteria is the former Cerini Centre site in Warburton. 

  • The overall Project area spans over 25,000 sqm however, due to the topography, which is at places quite steep and heavily vegetated, the developable land area would be approximately 13,000 sqm.
  • The land is made up of several titles and has a road reserve (undeveloped) running through it. The titles are presently owned by the Catholic Diocese, the Department of Education and the Yarra Ranges Shire Council. 
  • It is the history of this parcel of land also lends itself to this project. Father Cerini was a prominent local figure until his untimely passing in 1968. It is noted that his funeral was attended by people from all walks of life and all denominations. 
  • It is proposed that a new access road be created from Riverside Drive and the former Cerini Centre Building be renovated to be where the onsite accredited local Registered Housing organisation be situated and where the community may once again be able to use the facility as a community hub. 
  • It would be the working group’s aim that the land be managed by a faith-based, centre manager that maintained local input established to provide Social and Affordable Housing.

Links for further information

The Cerini Centre Social Housing Project PowerPoint presentation can be viewed as a PDF following this link.
There are more downloads on the Download page