Murray River Council's Mayor Chris Bilkey said recent policy adoptions would help ensure Moama was able to keep up with the demand.
“MRC has just adopted its Local Strategic Planning Statement that will inform the development of council's updated Land Use Strategy and new Local Environment Plan,” he said.
“In relation to residential land, MRC has recently approved a new subdivision for more than 350 blocks ranging in size from 850 square metres to over 1500 square metres.
“There is no doubt that much of the industrial development contributing to the growth of Echuca Moama has occurred in Campaspe Shire.
“Both councils are working in unison to ensure that land and infrastructure meets the need to ensure continued growth.”
Campaspe Shire Council pointed to the Echuca West Precinct Structure Plan as its strategy to combat the demand during the next 40 years.
According to the council’s website, “the Echuca West Development Contributions Plan (DCP) is currently being prepared which identifies and costs infrastructure that is required to support future residential development in the precinct. This will ensure appropriate contributions for future infrastructure.”
The Victorian Government acknowledged there was a need for movement to help keep up with the demand.
“There is a growing need to unlock more land for residential development in Echuca and that’s why the Echuca West Precinct Structure Plan is being developed in consultation with the community and the Shire of Campaspe,” a spokesperson said.
“The Echuca West Precinct will be central to the region’s economic future, creating local jobs during construction and unlocking land to guide residential growth for the next 40-years.
“All first home buyer applicants who build or buy a new home are also eligible for the Victorian Government’s $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, which is doubled to $20,000 for new homes in regional areas. This initiative has been expanded for an extra 12 months.”
Charles L King First National real estate agency director Troy O’Brien said the demand for land in Echuca-Moama remained strong.
“The biggest challenge is the time frame and how quickly these plans can be put into place,” he said.
“As I have said previously, people in Melbourne are re-evaluating their lives during the pandemic and many believe it’s time for a change of scenery.
“The quicker these projects move forward, the more land our industry will be able to sell to buyers.
“Because there has been some slow movement, it is creating somewhat of a bottleneck in the market.”
Cr Bilkey also revealed Murray River Council had plans in place to help meet strong demand for industrial land.
“Council-owned industrial land in Moama will be exhausted in the near future and council is actively working to ensure that there will be sufficient industrial land available in Moama for the next 20 years,” he said.
“There is also privately-owned industrial land available and on the market currently.
“As Moama grows, infrastructure such as water supply, drainage and sewerage systems need to grow to cater for the increased demand, and council's planning, engineering and asset management teams have plans in place to meet the demand well into the future.
“The recent surge in inquiry for industrial land is probably due to a combination of the likelihood of improved access to Moama along the Cobb Hwy when the second bridge crossing is completed, and stocks of suitable land in the surrounding area.
“MRC is currently completing an upgrade to the water supply to the Moama Business Park that will increase pressure and flow rates that will enable fire safety systems to operate off the main without the need to install back-up water supplies and pumping systems,” Cr Bilkey said.
“This initiative will significantly cut costs to develop on the land.”
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