Danny O’Brien MP – Only The Nationals will tackle the housing crisis

Dear Editor,

Access to affordable housing is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing Gippslanders.

I regularly hear from young locals who have grown up in towns like Foster, Leongatha, Korumburra and Sale who want to stay in the communities they love, but simply cannot find a home they can afford to buy or rent.

At the same time, vulnerable Gippslanders are waiting years for social housing. I recently raised the case of a vacant public housing property in Foster that has sat empty for more than six months while a local elderly couple remains on the waiting list.

Despite Labor’s big claims on social housing, we have actually seen the number of social housing homes across South Gippsland, Wellington and Latrobe City decline in recent years. The number of available rental properties has also dropped sharply, leaving families with fewer options and higher rents.

For those hoping to buy their first home, the dream of home ownership is also becoming harder to achieve. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows only 54,323 new homes were built across Victoria in the year to September 2025 – the lowest annual figure since 2014.

Only The Nationals have a plan to help change that by cutting red tape, reducing costs and making it easier to build in regional Victoria so more Gippslanders can get into their own homes.

Our plan also includes fast-tracking housing in existing growth areas and working with local councils to support sensible growth in regional communities.

Towns like Leongatha and Sale should be part of the solution to the housing shortage, but that requires policies that support development and ensure existing homes are not left sitting empty.

Only The Nationals in government will offer real solutions to the housing crisis.

Yours sincerely,

Danny O’Brien MP

Leader of The Nationals

State Member for Gippsland South