Colac Otway Adaptable Precincts Project

May 23, 2024

Colac Otway Shire and its partners, including GMC member FormFlow, have been awarded $2 million to develop affordable and key working housing solutions in a region facing ongoing worker housing challenges.

The Federal Government’s new Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) will support the “Colac Otway Adaptable Precincts” project to demonstrate a blueprint for future housing delivery. The partners hope the project will be a game-changer for regional communities and will provide healthier, safer, more resilient and sustainable living spaces.

The delivery of the Colac Otway Adaptable Precincts project will provide the Australian Government with eight outcomes:

  1. A demonstration of best-practice precinct master planning and local integration within a regional economic centre.
  2. A shovel-ready, zoned and permitted precinct for Colac, desperately needed to support local industry and community.
  3. A demonstration of best-practice precinct master planning and local integration within a small, high-amenity township.
  4. A shovel-ready, zoned and permitted precinct for Apollo Bay, desperately needed to support regional tourism and community on the Great Ocean Road.
  5. Research and development vital to delivering modular, net zero houses that meet the community’s expectations for amenity and local character.
  6. A rapidly delivered precinct that establishes an immediate and cost-effective housing response to disaster relief, nationwide, using safe materials for all locations.
  7. A repeatable blueprint to deliver precincts that meet the needs of regional centres and smaller townships throughout Australia for their individual needs.
  8. A benchmark partnership project between state and local governments, universities and leading private enterprise, backed a team of supporters from throughout the local region.

The Australian Government’s investment in this project will provide a blueprint and pipeline of precincts throughout Australia.