Resource region to benefit from further growth with affordable housing, WA
Action will be taken to provide housing to key workers in Western Australia’s Pilbara region to ensure growth will continue, according to the State Government.
A Request For Proposals will be issued to the private industry for building a workers’ residential village as dwelling prices are far outweighing household incomes, said Housing Minister Troy Buswell.
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The residential village, to be located in the Osprey subdivision at South Hedland, is aimed at offering workers permanent and affordable accommodation due to increasing demand in the area.
“This tender, to be issued by the end of next week, will encourage the building industry to provide value-for-money and innovative design, construction and management of housing,” he said.
“The 10-hectare site will house up to 300 key workers, complementing the existing Osprey subdivision and making it an attractive place to live.”
Housing affordability is an issue for all residents, according to Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls.
“The Pilbara is the nation’s economic powerhouse, and housing affordability is a significant issue for key workers, Government employees and locals in the area,” Mr Grylls said.
Demand for residential land and housing falls on the back of the continuing resources boom in the Pilbara.
Regional Western Australia has some of the highest rental prices nationally, with the latest RP Data statistics reporting South Hedland weekly rents at $1,500 and $1,250 for houses and units respectively.
Investors in the region are currently seeing rental yields of 10 per cent.
“The provision of the workers’ village is one of a number of Government initiatives to enable the region to attract and retain the workforce it requires to serve the community,” said Mr Grylls.
The forthcoming tender, which will be open for four weeks, will provide an opportunity for the private sector to demonstrate innovation and value-for-money in the design, construction and management of the village.
The new plan is based on the State Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy 2010-2020: Opening Doors to Affordable Housing.
Investors looking to note the effect on the region can look towards the Government’s similar Warrambie Estate in Karratha.
Construction on the Osprey subdivision will start in June this year.