Improving access to affordable housing in Lorne moves a step closer
Published on 30 October 2025
Surf Coast Shire Council has endorsed a plan to investigate affordable housing options in Lorne, taking another step toward easing the ongoing housing challenges faced by the town’s key workers.
The plan includes:
- Identifying suitable Council or public land site/sites that could be leased to a housing provider to provide affordable accommodation for permanent workers.
- Advocating to the State Government for a pilot land tax discount scheme in Lorne to return up to 25 properties to the long-term rental market.
“This is a really positive step toward finding practical ways to relieve the housing pressure in Lorne,” Said Cr Leon Walker.
“There have been several approaches trialled in the past, but the problem persists.”
“We need to keep looking for innovative, collaborative solutions that work for this community.”
Affordable housing for key workers has been a long-standing issue in Lorne, with community members voicing concerns about the impact on the town’s social fabric and local economy.
The Affordable Accommodation Action Plan, adopted in May 2024, committed Council to explore options for an affordable housing project in Lorne. Council also allocated $50,000 in the 2024-2025 budget to support the project development.
Three workshops held in July and August 2025 brought together 16 Lorne business owners, key workers and community leaders to help shape a proposed model for further investigation.
“Without affordable housing options, Lorne risks losing the people who keep our community running - our nurses, paramedics, business owners and school teachers,” said Cr Leon Walker.
“Our small businesses will struggle to attract staff, our CFA and SES will face challenges in maintaining active membership and young families will be unable to establish themselves locally.”
“We want to make sure Lorne remains a thriving, balanced community well into the future,”