Land & CommunitiesHudson FarrMon 12 Oct 26
Fast-Track Housing Play Revealed for Northern Victorian Country Town
Wel.Co is planning more than 430 house-and-land lots in northern Victoria after securing a place in the state’s rezoning fast-track for a 48ha site at Cohuna in the Gannawarra Shire.
The site at 49 Vallences Road, about 270km from the Melbourne CBD, is one of 12 across Victoria selected under the Unlocking Strategic Sites program, which could deliver more than 2000 homes. It joins seven sites announced in April that the government said could deliver around 9155 homes and 8900 jobs.
The pathway allows the Minister for Planning to take over as planning authority for rezonings of state or regional significance, rather than the council. Introduced in September 2025, it aims to halve the time taken for council-led rezonings, which the government said could take two or more years.
Developers and councils nominate sites through an expression of interest process. Eligible sites must be at least 2ha, within or adjoining an urban zone, adequately serviced and supported by servicing agencies. Proponents must demonstrate committed investment and show that the planning system has delayed their projects.
Selected proponents must filed a permit application within 12 months of rezoning, and residential proposals must include at least 10 per cent affordable housing.
Selection does not guarantee approval. The department will consult referral authorities, council and affected neighbours, and conduct public consultation before any rezoning is made.
Wel.Co founder Andrew Welsh said the company nominated Cohuna because the town needed more housing to support its growth. Gannawarra Shire Council’s Urban Growth Strategy identified the need to plan the town’s next residential expansion area.
“Being selected for the pathway is an important step forward and provides a dedicated state process to help accelerate the rezoning of the site,” Welsh said.
Development is expected to be delivered progressively, Welsh said.
Cohuna had 1212 homes at the 2021 Census. The proposed 430-plus homes would increase its housing stock by about 35 per cent.
Welsh said infrastructure would be considered “from the outset”, assessed through the planning process and delivered alongside the development as it grows.
He pointed to Wel.Co’s Gracewood community at Mallala, South Australia, where the company invested in roads, water, wastewater, utilities and telecommunications before the first homes were built.
Welsh said the same approach would apply at Cohuna, with the company working with council and authorities to assess existing capacity.
