Builders across the State are being sought to deliver new homes in regional SA, as work progresses on a State Government initiative to get more skilled workers into country towns.
The Office for Regional Housing – established to tackle chronic regional housing shortages – is seeking interest from builders to partner with and ensure much-needed homes are rolled out as quickly as possible in Regional SA.
The Office, within Renewal SA and part of the Malinauskas Government’s A Better Housing Future plan, is tasked with facilitating the delivery of housing to attract and retain key workers and help address a skills shortage in regional areas.
The Office’s first priority is the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme – a pilot program which will deliver 30 homes for teachers, police officers and health care workers across the South East, Riverland, Mid North, Far West Coast and Copper Coast.
Renewal SA has secured sites in Mount Gambier, Renmark and Port Augusta for the first of the new homes, as work continues to find other suitable locations.
It is anticipated a strong contingent of local companies will bid to build the new homes, fuelling employment opportunities in each region.
Construction is expected to start early next year, with first residents set to move in by mid-2025.
Following the initial rollout, the scheme is set to be expanded to create more government worker housing in other regions as well as accommodate the needs of private sector employees across a host of industries.
Other regions identified include Kangaroo Island and Whyalla, with builders encouraged to register their interest amid growing demand to support major projects like the Hydrogen Jobs Plan as well as KI’s timber, agriculture and tourism sectors.
The opportunity announced by Minister Champion to deliver 30 new homes in regional SA will be welcome news for builders looking to fill their order books for next year and beyond.
Housing Industry Association SA Executive Director Stephen Knight said the industry was anticipating a slowdown in building activity from early 2024, as the impact of high interest rates and cost of living pressures on new home sales begins to bite.
By becoming part of the Government’s “significant pipeline of work”, he said regional builders could move forward with confidence that there will be plenty of work for the foreseeable future, “which will be good for local trades and suppliers and particularly for apprentices who will be the next generation of local builders.”
Registrations of interest close October 5.
To register your interest click here
