Case Studies

Background

Horsham is a regional centre located on the Western Highway, approximately 300km northwest of Melbourne. It is one of the largest towns in western Victoria and is an administrative hub for surrounding localities. Avonnefield is 49-hectares located on the northern fringe of the regional centre of Horsham. The land is zoned as GRZ1 and FZ with proposed development including compact residential lots, large separate dwellings, and mixed community infrastructure, including approximately 190 dwellings consisting of 450-550m2 lots and 900m2 lots, as well as an aged care development site. The site has a strategic location, adjacent to the Wimmera Highway with direct access to surrounding regional areas including Stawell, Ararat and Ballarat. Surrounding land uses consist of low-density residential and farming. 

As of 30 June 2020, the estimated resident population of the Horsham Local Government Area is 20,018 persons. The population of Horsham has a modest growth trajectory and is forecast to reach 20,599 persons by 2036 representing an increase of 581 residents or 3.6% growth (2016-2036), while the Wimmera Southern Mallee Region is forecast to decline by 8.2%.  

Project Goals

The proposed development at Avonnefield will increase the supply of both compact and large residential lots in Horsham North, which will support the changing market needs and demands for of the ageing population in the region. In addition, the diversity of product will also cater to changing market demand for product reflective of changing household formations and life stages for residents remaining in the region. 

The need and demand assessment provides an independent assessment of the need and demand for the residential land component of the proposed Avonnefiled development. The report includes an assessment of the supply and demand for residential land in the Horsham LGA, and Horsham North. 

REMPLAN’s Involvement

REMPLAN was commissioned by Gerald Coutts & Associates to provide a detailed assessment of residential need and demand to support the development of the Avonnefield development located on Rasmussen Road, Horsham. Using REMPLAN’s inhouse software suite, REMPLAN supports Gerald Coutts & Associates by assessing the population and demographic, supply, demand, and needs of the area.  

Results

Based on REMPLAN’s analysis, within the Horsham Local Government Area there is an estimated supply of 14.7 to 17.9 years. Within the Horsham urban centre, approximately 90% of dwelling completions occur and there is an estimated supply of 13.4 to 16.3 years.

The proposed development at Avonnefield will add a diversity of housing product within the LGA, strategically located within the northern periphery of the Urban Centre boundary. The development of the subject site would assist in meeting both short and long-term needs within the region, and more specifically the needs of the population north of the railway corridor. There is clear demand and a need for the rezoning of the balance of the Avonnefield site to support the next wave of population growth and development in the Horsham LGA and in particular Horsham North.