Greater Shepparton City Council (Council) is seeking community feedback in accordance with Section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) on its intention to enter into an Agreement for Lease with Kids Under Cover for land at 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton. The lease would seek to facilitate the realisation of studio accommodation, which will house vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness.
Background
In early 2022, Council received an enquiry from Kids Under Cover seeking to understand whether Council could provide land to facilitate the construction of a Village 21 Model. Village 21 is an innovative model designed to support at-risk young people successfully transition to independent living from out of home care.
Kids Under Cover is a non-profit organisation focused the prevention of youth homelessness, by delivering a unique combination of studio accommodation and education scholarships. The Village 21 proposal will enable the construction of an innovative village environment for six young people between the ages of 18-21 who have exited foster care. Village 21 assists in creating strong connections back to the community and teaches skills in self-sufficiency. The proposal includes construction of a communal building with a kitchen living room and laundry, three two-bedroom studios with a bathroom and two one-bedroom studios for live in mentors, and communal outdoor spaces. Village 21 will support communal activities such as cooking, maintaining shared gardens and learning life skills.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 17 May 2022, Council resolved, amongst other things, to provide in-principle support for the proposal and undertook a community engagement process from May to June 2022 on the proposed lease of land at 4 Deane Court, Shepparton. On 1 August 2022, Kids Under Cover wrote to Council formally withdrawing interest from 4 Deane Court and requesting that Council consider leasing land at 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton stating that this land better suited its needs.
Council officers recommended that Council abandon the proposed lease of land at 4 Deane Court, Shepparton and commence community engagement on the possible lease of land at 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton to Kids Under Cover.
Location of 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton (the location is outlined and shaded in blue).
The land at 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton is currently vacant, owned by Council, zoned General Residential Zone and located within an existing residential area. The site’s size at 1,800 sqm, and location close to public transport and services will ensure excellent amenity for future residents, enabling them to be securely and appropriately housed.
Council officers consider this to be an effective way of realising Affordable Housing outcomes by assisting at-risk young people to successfully transition to independent living.
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 20 September 2022, Council resolved, amongst other things, to undertake a community engagement process in relation to its intention to enter into an Agreement for Lease with Kids Under Cover for land at 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton in accordance with Section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020.
Hearing of verbal submissions
Greater Shepparton City Council heard two verbal submissions from residents on the proposal on Tuesday 22 November, as well as a presentation from Kids Under Cover. You can view the recording of the submissions in the video player below.
Feedback received in submissions and additional work undertaken
Council officers received a total of 20 submissions on the proposed lease of land. In response to this. Council officers prepared a Conversation Report outlining the consultation process, the common themes identified in submissions received and Council officers’ responses to each of these themes. A link to the Conversation Report can be found below.
Next steps
Council will now consider the outcome of the consultation process relating to Council’s intention to lease Council-owned land to Kids Under Cover at 20-22 Perrivale Drive, Shepparton for the purposes of facilitating Affordable Housing at the Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 20 December 2022.
