Let Us Build on Underutilised Farming Land in Regional Victoria

Across regional Victoria, thousands of small farming blocks under 20 acres are sitting idle—no longer viable for agriculture due to water sell-offs and rising costs. But despite having no farming future, these blocks are still locked away under outdated zoning rules that prevent families from building homes.

Meanwhile, regional towns like Mildura are facing a severe housing shortage. Families are being pushed into crowded estates—or worse, forced to leave the area altogether. Others are moving just over the NSW border, where it's easier to build on rural land—taking their long-term rates, spending, and investment with them.

What’s at stake?

• Local farmers can’t sell unused land to stay afloat.
• Council rates and water revenue are being lost.
• Victoria is bleeding economic potential across the border.
• Families are being denied the chance to build a life on land that’s sitting idle.

Our Plan:

We’re calling on the Victorian Government to work with local councils and authorities like Lower Murray Water to:

Permit housing on small, non-irrigated farming blocks
Introduce a residential-tier water model for lifestyle properties
Support rezoning or overlay tools to unlock unused land for residential use

We’ll be submitting this petition to:

Jade Benham MP (State Member for Mildura)
Anne Webster MP (Federal Member for Mallee)
Councillors including Ali Cupper and Glenn Milne
Key departments and planning authorities

The Numbers:

Every new rural home could bring in $10,000+ in one-off stamp duty, $3,500–$4,000 in annual rates, and support 5–10 jobs in construction and services.
Mildura Airport could gain 6,000–12,000 extra passengers per year from new residents—creating $150,000–$400,000 in local economic uplift annually.
Unlocking even 200 homes per year could add $12M+ in one-time revenue and $2M+ per year ongoing.

This is a simple, logical, and community-backed solution that can ease the housing crisis, support rural services, and build a stronger future for Victoria.

Sign now and help us push for change. Let us build.