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FRIDAY, August 26, 2022
Full jazz festival program released
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20 years on, brother won’t give up on his sister’s murder
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PARKOUR PARK’S NEW WATER OBSTACLE APEX Park’s Parkour Park remained inundated with floodwater yesterday, after the Ovens River peaked at its highest point for the year. Floodwater is expected to subside over coming days. Full story page 5. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
“CRISIS POINT” A DIRE need to upgrade Wangaratta’s sewerage capacity isn’t the only thing worsening the housing shortage in Wangaratta, with a local MP citing new taxes, red tape and building supply shortages as a cause for accommodation woes. There have been numerous cases of renters who have had to relocate to other parts of Victoria or interstate because houses are being sold from underneath them and the
MP calls for more action on housing challenges BY STEVE KELLY skelly@ nemedia.com.au
lack of affordable housing is impacting the options for current or prospective residents. Wangaratta-based Ovens Valley state MP, Tim McCurdy, also has major concerns about the
housing shortage across his electorate, due, in part, to a myriad of new taxes and red tape delaying developments. Speaking in parliament, Mr McCurdy said, housing across regional Victoria and specifically in the Ovens Valley electorate is at “crisis point”. “If the government was serious about housing reform, they would remove
the obstacles that our local councils face,” he said. Mr McCurdy broached the extreme shortage of housing available for long-term rentals, with data suggesting the rise of short-term rentals is heavily impacting the market. “I hear from constituents nearly daily about the lack of rentals available, because sadly renters are being
forced to leave because either their property is being sold or owners want to move back in,” he said. “I know Myrtleford and Bright are really feeling the pinch as well, and they are trying to get rental houses built.” Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said like many other regional areas, the rural city is facing an urgent need for housing,
including affordable, social and key worker housing. “Housing prices have increased significantly in recent years and very few rental opportunities are available in our communities,” he said. “These housing challenges also mean the region is experiencing difficulties in attracting and retaining key workers to the region contributing to a skills shortage.” ■ Continued page 2
Are you considering selling? It starts in winter. If you’re considering selling your property, now’s the time to start planning. Let our experienced & friendly team help guide you through the process. OPEN 7 DAYS | 23 Baker Street, Wangaratta | 03 5722 2663 | garrynash.com.au