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For many farms around Robinvale, finding enough workers is only part of the seasonal workforce challenge. Finding somewhere practical for those workers to live can be just as important.

Robinvale sits within one of Victoria’s important horticultural regions, where farms and orchards can experience significant changes in workforce numbers throughout the year. During harvest and other peak periods, accommodation can become a real consideration for growers employing seasonal workers.

For landowners with suitable space on their property, building farm accommodation in Robinvale can provide a practical way to house workers close to where they work.

Why Are Farms in Robinvale Looking at On-Farm Accommodation?

Seasonal agricultural work brings people into regional communities for relatively short periods. When several farms are looking for workers at the same time, available accommodation can come under pressure.

For a farm located outside the township, there is another consideration: transport.

Workers who live some distance from the property may need reliable transport to get to work, particularly when shifts begin early or finish late.

Providing accommodation on the farm can bring the two closer together — where people live and where they work.

For some growers, this can make seasonal workforce planning easier while giving workers a dedicated place to stay during their time on the property.

What Does Farm Accommodation Need to Achieve?

Farm accommodation isn’t simply another dwelling on the property.

It needs to work for people who may be arriving from interstate or overseas, staying for a particular growing or harvesting period and spending much of their working day outdoors.

That means the accommodation should be planned around everyday use.

Depending on the workforce, this could mean providing:

• Comfortable sleeping areas
• A functional kitchen
• Dining space
• Bathrooms suitable for the number of occupants
• Laundry facilities
• A shared living area
• Adequate storage
• Easy access to the main farm areas

The number of occupants and expected length of stay will influence the layout.

Accommodation for two permanent farm employees, for example, will have very different requirements from housing designed for a larger seasonal team.

Building for the Peak Season

One of the biggest questions for a grower is how many people the accommodation needs to house.

It can be tempting to design around the average workforce, but seasonal farms often have a much higher demand for workers during particular periods.

Before building, look at the farm calendar.

When is the largest workforce needed?

How many workers are typically required during that period?

How long do they stay?

Are they returning workers or new workers each season?

These questions can help establish the appropriate accommodation capacity.

It can also be worth considering how the building will be used outside the busiest part of the season. Accommodation that can serve permanent staff, contractors or other approved uses at different times of the year may provide greater long-term value to the property.

Choosing a Location on the Farm

Where the accommodation sits can be just as important as what is inside it.

A suitable location should balance convenience for workers with the practical requirements of a working farm.

Think about the relationship between the accommodation and:

• Orchards and growing areas
• Farm machinery
• Workshops and sheds
• Chemical storage
• Access roads
• Parking
• Existing houses
• Water and power infrastructure

The accommodation should be convenient without interfering with normal farm operations.

Access is another important consideration, particularly when a transportable building is being delivered to the property.

Could a Transportable Home Suit a Robinvale Farm?

For some rural properties, a transportable home can be an alternative to traditional construction carried out entirely on site.

The dwelling is constructed away from the farm before being transported to the property. Once the site has been prepared, the building can be delivered and installed.

This approach can be useful for a working farm because much of the building construction can take place away from day-to-day agricultural activities.

It can also provide an option for landowners who want to add a separate accommodation building without extending an existing farmhouse or converting a shed.

However, a transportable home still requires proper site planning. The building, access, foundations, services and approvals all need to work together.

Seasonal Worker Accommodation Should Feel Like a Home

When accommodation is provided for seasonal workers, it can be easy to focus only on how many beds will fit inside the building.

But workers aren’t at work all day.

After a long shift, they need somewhere to cook, shower, do laundry, relax and get a proper night’s sleep.

Small details in the design can therefore make a significant difference.

A practical kitchen, enough bathroom capacity, useful storage and a comfortable communal area can all contribute to a better living environment.

For workers staying for several months, these aren’t luxuries. They are part of making the accommodation genuinely liveable.

Services and Infrastructure Need to Be Planned Early

A new accommodation building needs more than a suitable piece of land.

Before construction begins, consider how the building will connect to the services it requires.

This may include:

Water – How will drinking and household water be supplied?

Electricity – Is there an existing connection nearby, or will additional infrastructure be required?

Wastewater – What wastewater system is appropriate for the site and number of occupants?

Access – Can construction and delivery vehicles reach the building location?

Drainage – Does the proposed site require additional drainage or preparation?

Planning these requirements early can prevent expensive changes later in the project.

What Approvals Are Needed?

Farm accommodation is still subject to planning and building requirements.

The fact that a property is used for agriculture does not automatically mean that a dwelling can be built anywhere on the land.

Requirements can depend on the property’s zoning, location, proposed use, number of occupants and other site conditions.

Before proceeding, property owners should establish what planning and building requirements apply to their particular property.

Other considerations may include wastewater, bushfire risk, access and utility connections.

Getting this information sorted early gives the project a much clearer starting point.

Designing Accommodation for Robinvale’s Agricultural Workforce

There isn’t one standard design for Robinvale farm accommodation.

A family-operated orchard may need a small dwelling for permanent staff. A larger horticultural business may need accommodation that can house a seasonal workforce during harvest.

Some properties may need individual bedrooms, while others may require shared accommodation.

The useful question isn’t:

“What is the biggest building we can put on the property?”

It is:

“What accommodation arrangement actually suits the way this farm operates?”

Starting with that question can help create a building that is practical rather than simply large.

Farm Accommodation Around Robinvale

The demand for agricultural accommodation isn’t restricted to the Robinvale township.

Properties throughout the surrounding farming areas may face similar workforce and accommodation challenges.

For rural properties further from town, the distance between accommodation and the workplace can become even more important.

That is why on-farm accommodation can be worth considering as part of a broader workforce plan rather than simply as an additional building project.

A Simple Starting Point for Your Farm Accommodation Project

If you’re considering building accommodation on a Robinvale property, start with the basics.

1. Understand your workforce.
   Work out who needs accommodation and when.
2. Establish occupancy.
   Determine the maximum number of people who may need to stay at one time.
3. Think about the length of stay.
   Short seasonal stays may have different requirements from permanent staff accommodation.
4. Assess the site.
   Look at access, services, ground conditions and the relationship with existing farm operations.
5. Work out the facilities.
   Consider bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry and living areas.
6. Check approvals.
   Establish the planning and building requirements before committing to construction.
7. Consider the future.
   Think about whether the accommodation could serve different workforce needs throughout the year.

Building Farm Accommodation in Robinvale

For growers and agricultural businesses, accommodation can be an important part of preparing for a seasonal workforce.

If you are considering building farm accommodation in Robinvale, a transportable dwelling may be one option to explore alongside other forms of on-farm housing.

The best solution will depend on the property, the people who will use the accommodation and the infrastructure already available.

Starting with the farm’s actual requirements — rather than choosing a building first — can help ensure the finished accommodation is practical, compliant and suitable for the people living in it.

Vic Housing Group works with rural property owners across Victoria to develop transportable housing solutions for a range of accommodation needs.

If your farm needs additional worker accommodation, the first step is to understand what your workforce needs and what your property can support.