Housing & Accommodation
Supporting dairy communities through innovative housing solutions.
Access to affordable, secure housing is becoming a major barrier to attracting and retaining a skilled workforce in Victoria’s dairy regions. This challenge is threatening the long-term sustainability of the state’s $3 billion dairy industry and the strength of the rural communities that support it.
Gardiner Foundation is spearheading a new initiative to identify and support innovative housing solutions that meet the unique needs of Victoria’s dairy regions.
Over many years, we’ve heard directly from farmers, processors and service providers about the growing pressure that housing shortages are placing on their operations, and on their people.
Businesses are struggling to recruit and retain staff, while many workers are unable to find affordable, appropriate accommodation in the regions where they’re most needed. The result is a system under strain, with real consequences for productivity, growth and wellbeing.
Why Gardiner is Taking Action
As an independent, long-term investor in Victoria’s dairy industry and communities, Gardiner Foundation is well-placed to lead a collaborative response to this complex challenge.
We understand that dairy workforce issues can’t be solved in isolation. Access to housing is deeply connected to regional prosperity, labour availability, and the liveability of rural communities. That’s why we are actively exploring partnerships with developers, investors, government agencies and local stakeholders to bring forward practical, scalable solutions.
This initiative reflects Gardiner’s commitment to enabling long-term change, not just for today’s dairy workforce, but for future generations of people who want to live, work and thrive in dairy regions.
A Broader Community Impact
The housing challenges facing the dairy sector are not unique, but their impact is magnified in small, rural towns where supply is tight, and demand is growing. Addressing these challenges won’t just benefit farmers and workers. It will support the vibrancy of entire communities by:
- Stimulating local economies
- Encouraging population stability
- Reducing pressure on employers
- Improving access to services
- Supporting regional growth
This work builds on Gardiner’s broader vision of thriving, vibrant dairy communities where people and businesses want to be.