A project aiming to deliver homes to Central Victoria’s most vulnerable residents is one step closer to being ready.
Structural works have been completed at the Burnayi Lurnayi development in Flora Hill with a “Topping Out” ceremony held on Thursday, December 4th.
The project is jointly being delivered by YWCA Australia and the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, with both groups celebrating what they describe as a “major milestone”.
YWCA Australia Group CEO, Michelle Phillips says the development demonstrates what coordinated investment and collaboration can achieve for regional communities.
“The solution to Australia’s housing challenges relies on governments working together with specialist providers and community partners,” Ms Phillips says.
“Burnayi Lurnayi shows what this collaboration makes possible, creating 35 new safe, secure and affordable homes for women in Bendigo.”
Dja Dja Wurrung Group Interim CEO Cassandra Lewis describes the development as an important initiative that will help ease housing stress for First Nations and non-Indigenous women and families.
“Finding safe, affordable housing is especially challenging for people dealing with the impacts of inter-generational disadvantage and trauma – which, unfortunately, is too often First Nations People,” Ms Lewis says.
Burnayi Lurnayi means “young women” in local Dja Dja Wurrung language, with at least half of the proposed 35 homes at the Townsend Street site to be prioritised for First Nations women.
Contained within the three-storey building will be nine three-bedroom townhouses, 14 two-bedroom units and 12 one-bedroom units.
Costing $20 million dollars, the project has been partially funded through the state government’s Big Housing Build, and the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, which the YWCA says was “critical” to construction going ahead.
Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neill was among those in attendance at this week’s ceremony, alongside Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters.
“This project is more than just a new housing development close to central Bendigo,” Ms Chesters said.
“It will create a community that’s respectful of culture and inclusion.”
The Burnayi Lurnayi building is expected to be complete by mid-2026.
