Articles

Mildura’s agricultural industry relies on a workforce that changes throughout the year. During harvest and other busy periods, farms and horticultural businesses may need additional workers, creating a practical need for suitable accommodation close to the property.

For landowners considering building farm accommodation in Mildura, the first question is not simply what type of home to build. It is how the accommodation will be used, who will live in it, and what the property needs to support it.

Whether the accommodation is intended for seasonal workers, permanent farm staff or a combination of both, planning the building around the farm’s actual requirements can make a significant difference.

Why Build Farm Accommodation in Mildura?

Agricultural businesses can have very different workforce requirements throughout the year.

A citrus or grape property, for example, may require additional workers during harvesting, while permanent farm staff may be needed throughout the year for maintenance, irrigation, machinery and general property management.

Building dedicated accommodation can provide a consistent place for workers to stay rather than relying entirely on short-term rental accommodation or housing away from the property.

On-farm accommodation can also reduce the distance workers need to travel to work, which can be particularly useful for properties located outside central Mildura.

What Type of Farm Accommodation Do You Need?

The appropriate building will depend on the people using it and how long they will stay.
Before designing accommodation, consider:

• How many workers need to be accommodated?
• Will they be seasonal or permanent?
• How long will they typically stay?
• Will workers share bedrooms?
• Do they need individual rooms?
• Will couples or families use the accommodation?
• What kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities are required?
• Will the building be used all year or only during particular seasons?

A building intended for a small number of permanent farm employees may look very different from accommodation designed for a seasonal workforce.

Planning these requirements before construction helps avoid creating a building that is too small, difficult to maintain or unsuitable for the intended occupants.

Designing Farm Worker Accommodation

Farm accommodation needs to work as a home as well as a workplace support facility.

Workers may spend their evenings and days off at the property, so the accommodation should provide practical living facilities.

Depending on the intended use, this can include:

Bedrooms

The number and arrangement of bedrooms will depend on occupancy. Providing appropriate sleeping arrangements can give workers privacy and make longer stays more comfortable.

Kitchen and dining

A properly equipped kitchen allows workers to prepare meals independently and reduces reliance on shared facilities elsewhere on the farm.

Bathroom facilities

The number of bathrooms should be considered in relation to the expected number of occupants.

Laundry

Agricultural workers often work outdoors and may need to wash work clothing regularly. Dedicated laundry facilities are therefore an important consideration.

Living areas

A shared living space provides somewhere for workers to relax outside working hours and can make the accommodation more suitable for longer stays.

Building Farm Accommodation on Rural Land

A farm site is different from a typical residential block.

Before deciding where and how to build, the property needs to be assessed for practical site conditions.

Important considerations can include:

Access: Can the building and construction equipment reach the proposed location?

Services: How will electricity, water and wastewater be provided?

Ground conditions: Is the proposed building area suitable for construction and foundations?

Drainage: Does the site have appropriate drainage and protection from water?

Location: Is the accommodation close enough to the workplace while still providing suitable separation from farm operations?

Future use: Could the accommodation requirements change as the farm or workforce changes?

These considerations should be addressed during the planning stage rather than after the building has been designed.

Building Accommodation for Seasonal Workers

Seasonal worker accommodation often has different requirements from permanent staff housing.

A farm may need additional accommodation for several months during harvest and have fewer workers requiring accommodation during the rest of the year.

This makes flexibility important.

When planning seasonal worker accommodation in Mildura, consider how many people will typically be accommodated at peak times and whether the building could also be used for other purposes outside the harvest period.

A well-planned building may provide accommodation for seasonal workers during harvest and farm staff, contractors or other workers at other times of the year.

Transportable Farm Accommodation

For rural properties, transportable accommodation can be an alternative to constructing a dwelling entirely on site.

The building is manufactured before being transported to the farm, with site preparation and service connections completed as part of the overall project.

This approach can be useful where a farm wants to add accommodation without having all construction activities take place on the property.

Transportable buildings can also be considered where the accommodation needs to be positioned on a rural property with limited existing infrastructure.

However, transportable does not mean that site requirements can be ignored. The proposed location still needs to be assessed for access, foundations, services, planning and building requirements.

What Does It Cost to Build Farm Accommodation in Mildura?

There is no single price for building farm accommodation.

The overall cost can be affected by:

• Building size
• Number of bedrooms
• Internal layout
• Kitchen and bathroom specifications
• Site preparation
• Transport to the property
• Installation
• Electrical connections
• Water and wastewater
• Ground conditions
• Planning and building requirements
• Additional site works

For this reason, a project should be assessed based on the specific property and intended accommodation requirements rather than relying on a generic per-square-metre figure.

Approvals for Farm Accommodation

One of the most important steps before building is determining what approvals and requirements apply to the property.

Farm land does not automatically mean that any type of accommodation can be placed anywhere on the site.

Depending on the property and proposed use, you may need to consider planning requirements, building regulations, wastewater, bushfire considerations and other site-specific requirements.

The requirements can vary between properties, so it is important to establish what applies to your particular site before construction begins.

Building Farm Accommodation Around the Mildura Region

Farm accommodation requirements extend beyond Mildura itself.

Agricultural properties around Irymple, Red Cliffs, Merbein and the wider Sunraysia region may also need accommodation for seasonal workers and permanent farm staff.

For properties outside the main town areas, on-farm accommodation can be particularly practical because workers may otherwise have to travel further to reach the workplace.

The same principles apply regardless of the exact location: understand the workforce, assess the site and design the accommodation around how the farm operates.

Planning Farm Accommodation Before You Build

Building accommodation on a farm is a significant property decision. Taking the time to plan the project properly can help avoid problems later.

Before getting started, consider:

• Identify who will use the accommodation.
• Determine the maximum number of occupants.
• Decide whether it is for seasonal workers, permanent staff or both.
• Choose the accommodation layout and facilities.
• Assess the proposed building site.
• Determine water, power and wastewater requirements.
• Check planning and building requirements.
• Consider access for delivery and installation.
• Allow for future changes in workforce requirements.
• Obtain a project-specific assessment and quotation.

Starting with these questions makes it easier to determine what type of accommodation is actually appropriate for the property.

Build Farm Accommodation in Mildura

If you are considering building farm accommodation in Mildura, transportable housing is one option worth investigating.

The right solution will depend on your workforce, property, available space and intended use. For some farms, a dedicated transportable dwelling can provide accommodation for seasonal workers or permanent staff while avoiding the need to construct the entire building on site.

Vic Housing Group works with property owners looking at transportable accommodation for rural and agricultural properties.

The starting point is understanding the site and what the accommodation needs to achieve. From there, the building, layout and installation requirements can be considered around the property.

Looking to build farm accommodation in Mildura? Start by assessing your workforce, site and accommodation requirements before choosing the building solution.