New regional SA housing announcements to tackle growing demand
Developers are being sought to deliver homes in regional South Australia to accommodate a growing government workforce. See where country builds are happening.
A new opportunity to develop houses at Port Augusta is now open, with the state government’s urban development arm seeking private partners on the project.
The expression of interest campaign for the 15 new homes seeks to address demand for accommodating key government workers in the Upper Spencer Gulf, such as teachers, healthcare professionals and police.
It is one of many regional workers’ housing projects set to get underway in regional South Australia, including at Whyalla, Kangaroo Island and Bordertown.
Once built by a private developer, the homes would be leased to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s Government Employee Housing body. Renewal SA said this would offer guaranteed rental income for at least 10 years.
Renewal SA regional housing director Matt Hunt said Port Augusta had a significant need for more government housing.
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“Port Augusta is evolving into a regional centre for education and trade, but like many regions, its continued growth is hamstrung by housing availability,” Hunt said.
“This initiative responds to the need for more homes for essential workers but also empowers the private sector to drive housing growth directly, with state government backing.”
Port Augusta City Council CEO John Banks said more work needed to be done in housing delivery in the regions.
“With increasing population and revitalisation projects in the pipeline, enhanced development is essential to ensure that we can accommodate our residents effectively,” Banks said.
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Renewal SA hoped that its offer of up to $1 million in financial support would incentivise developers to create additional private allotments as part of their development. The incentive would contribute a maximum of $100,000 per allotment for civil infrastructure and landscaping costs.
To date, the Office of Regional Housing said it had delivered 24 worker homes across Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Kadina, Renmark and Moonta Bay.
Other projects are in train, including at Bordertown where work has officially commenced on a new 5.8-hectare residential housing estate in the state’s south-east, including new homes for workers.
A further 10 government worker homes are being built by developer Urbanlux at Whyalla. It is the developer’s first investment in the city, with Kloeden Reserve to house the project, which also includes 20 private homes.
Meanwhile, five workers’ homes will be built at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island under Renewal SA’s guidance.
“There’s very limited availability or rental properties on Kangaroo Island that suit the lifestyle of essential workers, particularly due to congestion in short-stay accommodation driven by a large tourism market,” Hunt said.
“These homes will be right in the centre of town, within walking distance of the main school and healthcare facility.”
