Shepparton’s housing taskforce met for the first time on Monday, November 21, to find local solutions for the more than 600 people across the municipality displaced by the recent floods.
Emergency Recovery Victoria chief executive Mariela Diaz was in town to chair the taskforce meeting, and also met with other community groups in the region.
“The main principle behind the taskforce is that it’s a community-led approach, so it’s the community coming up with solutions wherever possible with local and state government backing those ideas,” she said.
The taskforce was approved by Premier Daniel Andrews and announced by Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes last week, alongside funding for redevelopment of Aspen Lodge Caravan Park.
The taskforce will look at temporary housing solutions and ways to address the lack of local rental stock.
“Most of the people who are displaced are in crisis accommodation,” Ms Diaz said.
“We have quite a lot of residents from Shepparton [at the Mickleham quarantine facility], and then we have other people in hotels, motels and serviced apartments.
“Probably out of all the areas that have been impacted across the state we’re assisting the most with Shepparton residents.”
Ms Diaz said there were more than 600 people from Greater Shepparton in crisis accommodation, followed closely by Campaspe Shire and Maribyrnong City.
“Shepparton’s a very resilient town and I’ve seen an incredible amount of work from local volunteers and organisations to work this problem through as a team,” Ms Diaz said.
The taskforce includes community agencies and representatives.
“We’ve tried to capture as many people as possible to give a voice to all the community here in Shepparton,” Ms Diaz said.
“We want to get people back to their communities.”