34 First Nations townhouses approved on former Bendigo school site
Victoria approved 34 townhouses for First Nations people on a former Bendigo school site.
The Victorian government approved the housing on November 2. The developer MAYAM MAYAM will build 34 townhouses on the Nolan Street site.
The homes include seven one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom, four three-bedroom and one five-bedroom unit. Community consultation happened through wartakas, a Dja Dja Wurrung word meaning "come with purpose".
The design keeps indigenous and native trees. Cassandra Lewis is head of the Dja Dja Wurrung Group.
She said the homes would ease the housing and cost-of-living crisis. Neighbour Ben Pengelly opposed the approval.
He said the fast-tracked process was rushed. The application arrived in late June and went to public notice in September.
He noted the state had previously planned the site for parkland. A Transport and Planning spokesperson said the approval followed thorough assessment and consultation.
- 34
- Total townhouses
- Nolan Street, Bendigo
- Site location
- November 2
- Approval date
Why it mattersFast-tracked approvals deliver homes faster. But they raise questions about whether neighbours have enough time for real input.
AustraliaVictoria's First Nations housing shortage has a new source of 34 homes in Bendigo, but the approval process may set a pattern that affects how future developments are assessed.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 h ago
