Resources sector swings in behind regional housing in major boost to liveability and frontline services
A $170 million contribution from the WA resources sector will help fund hundreds of additional houses in regional communities, providing a significant boost to liveability and the provision of essential services, in a pre-budget announcement from Premier Roger Cook at an industry breakfast hosted by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME).
The WA Government is fast-tracking investment in 550 additional Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) dwellings across seven regional cities – with 305 of those homes to be located in Karratha and Port Hedland.
The Pilbara GROH housing will be funded in partnership with the Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII), including a $100 million contribution from Rio Tinto, $50 million from BHP and $20 million from Hancock Prospecting.
CME Chief Executive Officer Aaron Morey said the resources sector was committed to playing its role in addressing housing shortages in regional communities across the State.
“Adequate and affordable housing is one of the basic building blocks of any community,” Mr Morey said.
“Resources companies operating in remote and regional towns are already significant providers of housing but this latest investment recognises there is more work to be done to alleviate longstanding shortages.
“The addition of hundreds of GROH dwellings for government workers will provide a major boost to efforts to attract and retain essential frontline staff.
“It will also free up existing housing for the broader community, helping overcome the high costs of building in regional areas – especially the Pilbara – which is a handbrake on growth.”
Mr Morey welcomed the WA Government’s focus on improving the liveability of regional cities, many of which play vital roles supporting resource operations.
“WA’s resources sector is anchored in regional WA, where most mineral and energy deposits are situated and developed,” Mr Morey said.
“Regions like the Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley and South West are significant drivers of jobs and national wealth and the ongoing provision of economic and social infrastructure – including housing – is pivotal to safeguarding WA’s prosperity.”
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Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382