PROJECTS
Seasonal Workers Accommodation, Robinvale
In 2022, Tomkinson was engaged by Agriculture Victoria and Swan Hill Rural City Council to address a growing challenge in Robinvale and Swan Hill: the shortage of safe, compliant, and fit-for-purpose accommodation for seasonal agricultural workers. With the town’s population doubling during harvest periods, the strain on housing infrastructure for seasonal worker accommodation had reached a critical point.
| Discipline | Planning |
| Timeframe | 2022 - 2023 |
| Client | Agriculture Victoria & Swan Hill Rural City Council |
| Location | Robinvale and Swan Hill |
| Consultants | Tomkinson |
| Council | Swan Hill Rural City Council |
Our role was to lead the preparation of a comprehensive report that would guide Council through the complexities of planning, compliance, and stakeholder engagement process.
The result was a detailed, evidence-based document that not only mapped out the current state of play but also provided a clear pathway for future action. The project also included inspections of non compliance properties across the municipalities, with inspections carried our by our Planners and a Building Surveyor appointed to the project. Fact sheets were produced in a variety of languages to assist residents and property owners with the project, its process and end goals
What the Report Delivered
The Seasonal Workers’ Accommodation Action Team (SWAAT) report provided Council with:
- A full compliance snapshot: Over 47 properties were inspected across Robinvale, Swan Hill and Nyah West, identifying key risks and opportunities for improvement.
- A Better Approvals framework: A streamlined process to assist developers and accommodation providers in navigating planning and building requirements.
- Translated educational materials: Developed in multiple languages to support communication with culturally diverse worker communities.
- Stakeholder insights: Direct engagement with growers, developers, cultural groups and industry bodies to inform practical, community-aligned recommendations.
How It Helps Council
The report equips Council with:
- A clear implementation roadmap to guide future compliance actions and development opportunities.
- A foundation for advocacy — supporting funding bids, policy alignment, and collaboration with State and Federal agencies.
- A resource for ongoing engagement with the community, developers, and accommodation providers.
- Outlines key limitations, giving Council a realistic view of challenges such as COVID-19 impacts, low engagement, and resource constraints.
This project reflects our commitment to delivering practical, place-based planning that helps councils make informed decisions grounded in local context. By combining strategic insight with hands-on support, we aim to create planning outcomes that are not only compliant, but genuinely responsive to community needs.
We’re proud to work alongside councils, state governments, growers and residents to build safer, more liveable communities. In Robinvale, that meant helping Council take meaningful steps toward improving seasonal worker accommodation — ensuring those who support the region’s agricultural economy are welcomed, supported, and integrated into the fabric of the community.