Have you ever driven along our beautiful coastline, past the pristine beaches and quiet dunes, and wondered about the stories unfolding just out of sight? For many of us on the Mornington Peninsula, our region is a paradise, a place we are proud to call home. But for a growing number of our neighbours, particularly women and children, this paradise is hiding a painful reality. The very idea of a secure property to call their own can feel like a distant dream. That’s why a recent announcement of 17 new dwellings in Mornington and Hastings isn’t just a news item; it’s a beacon of hope, a tangible result of local action aiming to turn the tide.
The Housing Crisis on Our Doorstep: More Than Just Numbers
Let’s be frank. We’re in the grip of an unprecedented housing crisis. You feel it when you talk to your family and friends, when you see the ‘For Lease’ signs with eye-watering price tags, and when you hear about the fierce competition for every rental. But what do these pressures actually look like for those who are pushed to the edge? Tragically, our Peninsula now has the highest proportion of rough sleepers in Victoria. Think about that for a second. In our community, people are being forced to sleep in their cars, set up temporary camps on the foreshore, or find shelter in the sand dunes. It’s a situation that shocks the conscience.
Why is it so acute here? Well, picture the perfect storm. We have a huge number of short-term holiday rentals, which while great for tourism, take long-term rentals off the market. We have soaring rents and property market prices that seem to climb higher every day. We have a severe shortage of crisis accommodation and an overwhelming demand for food relief. This isn’t just a statistical problem; it’s a human one. It’s about mothers worrying where their children will sleep tonight. The value of a safe roof over one’s head has never been more apparent, nor more out of reach for so many.
Building Solutions from the Ground Up: A Partnership Model That Works
So, who’s responsible for fixing this? While the big levers of power and funding sit with the federal and state governments, our local Mornington Peninsula Shire decided that waiting wasn’t an option. They asked a simple but powerful question: what can we do, right now, to help? The answer was innovative. The Shire looked at its own assets – parcels of land it owned – and saw an opportunity. Instead of just holding onto this land, they asked how it could be used for the greater good.
The result? A powerful partnership. The Shire has provided five parcels of its own land, valued at over $3 million, through a long-term lease to housing experts YWCA Australia and Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI). This is a crucial piece of the puzzle. By contributing the land, the Shire has significantly reduced the upfront cost of the project, making it a smarter, more viable investment in our community’s wellbeing. This land is now the foundation, quite literally, upon which new homes will be built. It’s a classic case of a council using what it has to create lasting value for its residents.
More Than Bricks and Mortar: A Gender-Responsive Approach to Housing
Now, this isn’t just any construction project. Anyone can build a house, but building a home requires thought, care, and understanding. This is where the expertise of YWCA Australia and WPI becomes so vital. These organisations are specialists in housing for women. They understand that a woman fleeing domestic violence, or a single mother rebuilding her life, has unique needs. Their ‘gender responsive design guidelines’ will shape these homes. Imagine layouts that enhance safety and security, with good sightlines and robust locks. Think about communal spaces that foster connection and support, helping to combat the isolation that often comes with hardship.
This thoughtful approach ensures that these 17 dwellings will be more than just a roof overhead. They will be sanctuaries. They will be the stable foundation from which women and their children can rebuild their lives, access education and employment, and become fully engaged members of our community. It’s a testament to the fact that when we design with people’s actual lives in mind, the outcome is far more powerful. The chosen Mornington builder tasked with this project isn’t just putting up walls; they are crafting the setting for countless fresh starts.
A Welcome Start, But the Work Must Continue
The quotes from the leaders involved say it all. Mayor Anthony Marsh calls it a “great example of how a multi-agency and government partnership can deliver important tangible outcomes.” He’s right to celebrate this step, but he’s also right to note that “there is much more to be done.” This initiative is a critical down payment on a much larger solution. Roberta Buchanan from WPI hits the nail on the head when she says that “secure, affordable and appropriate homes provide a foundation for happier and healthier lives.” Isn’t that what every single one of us wants for our community?
This project, funded by Homes Victoria as part of the state’s Big Housing Build, shows what is possible when different levels of government and community organisations align their efforts. It proves that we can make a difference when we pool our resources and our will. For the future, we need to see more of this. We need continued investment, more creative use of public land, and a sustained commitment to ensuring that everyone on the Mornington Peninsula has a safe place to call home. This is about the kind of community we want to be. Do we want to be a place where everyone has a chance to thrive, or a place where the most vulnerable are left behind? The answer, clearly, is that we choose to build, we choose to support, and we choose to care.
