General News
6 March, 2026
Eight units set for development in Maryborough township for local workforce
Maryborough is the next town to benefit from the Victorian Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund (RWAF), with eight new units to be allocated for essential workers.
The fully self-contained units will offer rental options for both long-term and seasonal workers and their families, especially those in agriculture, healthcare, construction and manufacturing.
The announcement follows the second round of funding from the State Government’s $150 million RWAF late last year, a program designed to increase the supply of affordable accommodation for workers in regional towns where housing shortages have constrained local industry.
The houses are also intended to reduce reliance on workers from Ballarat, Bendigo and beyond to fill local jobs, providing employment opportunities that are not as reliant on access to transport.
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, Central Goldfields Shire council staff and Elmstone Property’s Stuart Benjamin have overseen the chosen site located at 2 Elizabeth Street, Maryborough.
Mr Benjamin said the site will be specifically intended for eligible workers.
“This site has been purchased by the Elmstone Property Group and they have a division called Aviation Accommodation Austra-lia, which provides specialist accommodation from key workers across Victoria,” he said.
“The goal of this is to create a home for either singles or couples who are coming to the region before they then move into other properties, or maybe build a house.”
Tucked away beside the back end of Vault Self Storage, the chosen site is still a grove along a quiet culdesac, with no date determined for construction to commence.
However, the development is expected to support local jobs across the Elmstone Property Group, ensuring the project is delivered by and for regional workers.
Ms Haylett has welcomed the announcement, with these properties to be part of nearly the 40 being built across Ripon.
“Building more homes in Mary-borough means local workers can live where they work and busi-nesses can finally secure the staff they need. It will boost our local economy and keep jobs and families in rural Victoria,” she said.
Across the state, these accom-modation projects are intended to bolster workforces, support local employers and strengthen the industries that keep regional communities strong.
