The Inclusionary Housing Pilot will see at least 100 social housing dwellings, in addition to affordable housing and private dwellings, built across six sites.

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There are five lots in Melbourne, and the vacant school site on Jarrah Street in Wodonga, which combined equal 16 hectares in total.

All lots have been deemed “surplus to government needs”, “with no department, agency or local council wishing to take them on”.

The land will be developed by the private sector in partnership with community housing providers, with an expression of interest opened this week and developers to be shortlisted in October.

A public hearing was held in January on the pilot, which will be run by DELWP, and on June 24 Minister for Planning Richard Wynne rezoned the 1.9 hectare primary school site from public use zone (education), to general residential zone.

He was also made the responsible authority for the site, meaning Wodonga Council will have no role in planning or approval.

DELWP has been in talks with Wodonga Council since the Minister for Planning formally referred the planning provision changes to the site to the Government Land Standing Advisory Committee in August 2017.

Buildings adjacent to or opposite to existing residential development will be limited to two storeys, and there will be other restrictions such as three metre setbacks from near property boundaries.

A DELWP spokeswoman said the total number of social housing homes on the Wodonga site would be determined through the EOI process, which closes on September 6.

The former primary school campus has been vacant for seven years, since Wodonga South was transferred to the Southern Rise Education Centre.

A fire station and mental health service were floated as potential developments on the site at different points in time.

The Inclusionary Housing Pilot forms part of the state government’s housing strategy, Homes for Victorians.

“We need to build and invest in liveable communities and make the most of land we already have, and this pilot will create up to 100 new social housing homes to support our most vulnerable,” Planning Minister Richard Wynne said.

“These planning changes address feedback received from local communities, and will ensure existing vegetation and local neighbourhood character is protected.”