Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has placed housing at the forefront of his latest election campaign in Western Australia, vowing to “unlock” over 1,000 homes in regional communities.
Arriving in Kununurra on Wednesday night following a whirlwind tour of the Top End, Albanese announced a substantial $200 million package designed to alleviate the housing crisis plaguing various cities across WA while simultaneously enhancing community infrastructure.
The housing shortage has emerged as a major contributor to the social and economic challenges facing regional WA, with both private enterprises and government services grappling to secure accommodation for essential staff.
The funding will facilitate the development of vital infrastructure, such as power and water, to support new housing initiatives. Allocations include $22 million for Karratha, $32.8 million for the Wheatbelt region, and $14.2 million for Albany.
During his speech in Kununurra, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering growth beyond Perth. “We need to acknowledge that it’s not just about Perth,” he stated.
In Karratha, located 1,530 kilometers north of the capital, projections indicate a looming shortfall of nearly 1,200 homes over the next decade, with rental prices in the area ranking among the highest in Australia.
Labor’s funding will primarily target the Mulataga Housing Estate on the city’s outskirts. “Initially, we will deliver 130 lots,” said Virginia Miltrup, chief executive of the City of Karratha. “Revenue generated from these developments will be reinvested to support future phases in unlocking land.”
City representatives had previously traveled to Canberra, advocating for increased attention to Karratha’s pressing housing issues. With this new funding, there’s hope for transformative change in the region’s housing landscape.
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