Help bring more workers

Dear Bass Coast ratepayer, 

Bass Coast Shire, like other regions around Australia, is currently being impacted by a shortage of permanent rental accommodation for working individuals and their families. 

This shortage of housing makes it difficult to attract and retain workers to our region, and means many local employers struggle to fill vacancies in industries ranging from hospitality to critical health and emergency roles. 

Our records suggest you may have a secondary residence or holiday house in the Bass Coast Shire. If that is the case, I am seeking your help. 

I am writing to see if you would consider placing your house in our local rental market for the next 12 to 24 months to help ease the housing shortage at this time of unprecedented demand. 

Our region’s population has increased significantly in recent years as people seek our desirable lifestyle benefits, but recent Census data taken during the 2021 pandemic lockdown shows 39 per cent of houses remain unoccupied.  

With 25,800 dwellings, this represents over 10,000 unoccupied houses and historical data tells us it could be as high as 44 per cent. 

There are many reasons houses remain unoccupied, including a switch from permanent rental to short-term rentals, but this potential under-utilisation presents a housing opportunity. 

Our communities will not thrive unless they can sustain a permanent population. 

The shire is aware this is a short-term fix, and we are working on long-term plans, in collaboration with the State Government. 

Thank you for considering this invitation to benefit the Bass Coast community. 

Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan