State Government funds nearly $12 million infrastructure boost for regional workers accommodation

• Kimberley, Gascoyne and Goldfields projects share $11.86 million in infrastructure funds
• First three projects from $40 million Infrastructure Development Fund for the regions
• Funding for essential infrastructure will support development of almost 500 dwellings for key workers

New key worker accommodation projects in Broome, Denham and Kalgoorlie have received a major boost with nearly $12 million in funding from the State Labor Government's Infrastructure Development Fund.

The $80 million Fund provides funding assistance to address upfront costs associated with connecting essential water, electricity, and sewerage infrastructure, which have constrained development and impacted the viability of housing projects. 

Funding has been allocated equally, with $40 million available for key workers accommodation in regional areas and the remaining $40 million available for priority infill developments in key urban areas of Perth.

The Unlocking Regional Worker Accommodation Opportunities stream is designed to address utility constraints, either at the precinct or strategic site scale, which are impacting the delivery of key workers accommodation.

Recipients of the first round of this funding include the Shire of Broome, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Shire of Shark Bay.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will benefit from $4 million in funding that will enable an extension of the main sewerage network to service 66.9 hectares of undeveloped land near the airport. 

The land includes a 17.2-hectare site on Hart Kerspien Drive which the City recently resolved to sell to the M/Group for the development of a proposed 400-dwelling residential lifestyle village featuring one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

In Broome, $7.6 million will support the Shire to deliver a 91-dwelling project in Sanctuary Road providing key worker accommodation to support local industry, including tourism and hospitality.

Another $187,000 will support the Shire of Shark Bay to deliver five new houses in Denham for Government officers.

Applications for the next round of regional funding close on 7 December 2023, with applications for all other streams open until 6 September 2024, or until funds are exhausted. For eligibility guidelines and to apply, visit www.wa.gov.au/infrastructure-development-fund.

Comments attributed to Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti:

"We know the current operating environment is extremely difficult for the construction industry which is why our Government has put in place a range of measures to support the delivery of new housing, particularly in regional locations.

"The $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund is specifically designed to support the industry by unlocking constraints, improve project feasibility and most importantly get new housing to market quicker.

"By investing $40 million from the Fund in the regions, we are reducing the significant upfront costs to establish essential infrastructure connections for greenfield sites – such as the site in Kalgoorlie – helping local governments to support key worker accommodation projects to progress."

Comments attributed to Planning Minister John Carey:

"Our Government is using every lever we can to bolster the supply of housing throughout Western Australia – including throughout regional WA.

"Our $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund will support the costs of de-constraining land and providing services to assist with new housing developments being delivered – including $40 million to support regional workers accommodation opportunities.

"This fund is about providing more housing for workers in industries outside of mining and the resources industry, workers that are crucial to a town such as childcare, education, healthcare, hospitality and providing Government services.

"Nearly $12 million is being allocated to key workers accommodation projects across regional WA including in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Shire of Broome and the Shire of Shark Bay – to support development of nearly 500 new dwellings to support key workers.

"Applications are open for the IDF until 6 September 2024 and I encourage all regional local governments and developers with approved housing proposals to review the funding guidelines and eligibility criteria and learn more about applying."

Comments attributed to Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:

"I have worked with key stakeholders from the Goldfields, including the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who organised a Roundtable with Minister Carey earlier this year.

"Accommodation options are very important to the growth of our City and I have advocated strongly to the Cook Government about this and I am grateful that this announcement means that we can unlock the constraints to get new housing to market quicker.

"The development is set to be provided as a build-to-rent model, with flexible lease terms, helping to meet the changing demands of Kalgoorlie-Boulder's growing community.  

"The City expects the sewerage expansion works to be completed within eight to 10 months of commencement, with the first homes to be delivered on site within 12-18 months once the project receives planning approval."

Comments attributed to Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:

"Our Government's $7.6 million investment is critical to improving the housing supply and affordability situation in Broome, which we know is a significant challenge.

"The investment will help to unlock land for 91 new dwellings for key workers, which is essential to supporting our local industry, including tourism and hospitality."

Successful Applicants – Unlocking Regional Worker Accommodation Opportunities