Villawood moves to support care industry workers

HOUSING blocks are being set aside for care industry workers at Villawood Properties’ Armstrong Mount Duneed to ensure vital community staff are not forced from the market by rising prices.

Workers eligible for this offer in the Sanctuary precinct include primary and secondary teachers, childcare workers, nurses, SES workers, paramedics, firefighters, police staff, emergency services, health and aged care workers, and social workers.

Villawood wants to keep lots within reach for vital community workers and says its competitors’ prices are higher.

As Geelong’s care industry grows rapidly, notably with the opening of WorkCover and NDIS headquarters, Villawood is keen to help make the transition for new workers arriving in Geelong as smooth as possible.

“We are concerned about the lack of affordability for Geelong homebuyers and particularly our care workers,” Villawood executive director Rory Costelloe said.

“We want to look after people such as emergency services workers, teachers, nurses and NDIS people.

“These are people who often are working for modest wages and expected to care for our community health and wellbeing.

“We want to create an opportunity for those care workers now being priced out of the market to buy in a prime location.

“We’re hoping other industries in Geelong will also do what they can to ease the transition for new arrivals to Geelong.”

The Villawood offer follows concerns voiced by Mr Costelloe to the Urban Development Institute of Australia about the risk of rising land prices damaging housing affordability. Villawood’s Armstrong Mount Duneed won the UDIA’s prestigious Masterplanned Community award.

“Geelong is becoming the care capital of Australia with the arrival of the NDIS and WorkCover,” Mr Costelloe said.

“We already have institutions such as the Transport Accident Commission, Deakin University’s medical school, major public and private hospitals, and health providers such as Barwon Health.

“We will be only selling these blocks to Geelong residents who are in the care worker category.

“We’re looking to give them the opportunity to live close and at an affordable price.”

Eligible buyers will be required to provide proof of occupation at point of sale.

For more information on land available and pricing, visit the Armstrong Land Sales office on the corner of Surf Coast Highway and Unity Drive or phone 1300 710 726.