The operators of the Lorne foreshore caravan park in Victoria, Australia have taken action to address the town’s accommodation crisis during the summer season, according to a report by the Surf Coast Times.
In a bid to provide housing for seasonal workers, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) has set aside five sites at the caravan park for their exclusive use over the 2022-23 period.
Each site can accommodate up to four people, providing much-needed housing for employees of local businesses.
The decision to designate the sites for seasonal workers comes in response to the limited housing availability in Lorne, which has caused some businesses to close their doors due to a need for more employees.
On Census night in August 2021, results showed that over 60% of homes in the town were unoccupied, with a similar figure reported in nearby Anglesea. However, these properties are only available for rent at an affordable price point, with many listed on short-stay accommodation websites.
The 2022 Rental Affordability Index (RAI) revealed that the Surf Coast region has become “severely unaffordable,” with residents requiring around 40% of their annual household income to secure a property at the median rent price.
The RAI report also showed that the region, along with parts of the Bellarine, has experienced some of the highest rental increases in the country since the start of the pandemic.
The designation of these sites at the Lorne caravan park is a step towards providing more affordable housing options for residents and workers in the area.
“We are expecting one of the busiest peak summer seasons in recent years on the Great Ocean Road, which means an increase in demand for seasonal worker accommodation,” GORCAPA chief executive officer Jodie Sizer said.
“As part of our role in managing the Great Ocean coast, we are committed to supporting local towns to manage the influx of visitors and workers over this busy period. We are continually looking at opportunities to increase accommodation capacity for seasonal workers at visitor hotspots on the Great Ocean Road, particularly in Lorne.”