Homes for workers

Friday August 04, 2023

By Charlotte Varcoe

MORE key workers will be attracted to the Blue Lake City with the State Government kicking off a new housing initiative.

The Key Workers Housing Program will provide four new homes for government workers in an effort to free up the general rental market.

The homes - which will consist of two two bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses - are expected to be built in Mount Gambier/Berrin's inner-north and will provide an open-plan kitchen, ensuite, garage and courtyard.

The homes are expected to begin construction early next year, with all homes set to be complete by mid-2025.

The four homes are the first of 30 to be distributed across regional South Australia, with other areas including the Riverland, Mid North, Far West Coast and Copper Coast.

During a visit to the region late last week, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said more housing was one of the "most important" issues needing to be addressed to attract more key workers.

"There is a housing crisis throughout the nation at the moment, but that is a crisis that becomes particularly confronting when we are trying to attract key workers to regional communities," Mr Malinauskas said.

"Which is why the State Government established its Key Worker Regional Housing Program.

"We know there is a desperate need for work or accommodation for everybody in the Limestone Coast whether it be our additional paramedics or police officers, we need to be able to step up to the plate and provide working accommodation for these important services."

Mr Malinauskas said the pilot program allowed the government to expand on it in the future, including engaging with industries within the private sector.

"We have some runs on the board, but there is a lot more work that needs to be done and that is exactly what the State Government aims to do with key worker accommodation," he said.

As for determining who would reside in the homes, Mr Malinauskas said it would come down to the government working alongside agencies and making the key decisions about where there is the "greatest need".

"Part of the challenge the government has is we want to step in where there is market failure and we don't want to invest in housing where the market would otherwise be able to address the issue," he said.

"Ambulance officers are a critical service provider and we know there is an urgent need for additional ambulance officers in this part of the state as the case with health workers generally and we see that as being an opportunity."

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said the more housing available, the more "flow on effect" there would be for other people in the economy.

"Under this initiative, more rentals are able to be used by other people who are not government workers so it has a really positive effect for our community and it is pleasing to have a government that is investing in Mount Gambier and the South East," Mr Bell said.

"It is not just ambulance officers who are in need, but I know teachers who were attracted to come to Mount Gambier and start teaching who were spending their first couple of months in a caravan park because there were no rentals."

He said by having these houses available for government workers such as teachers and nurses, it would take pressure off the general rental market for the rest of the community.

"Whilst it is only four houses to start with, it is a pilot to make sure it is done right," Mr Bell said.

"This is the start of much more development and investment in housing in our region and we will see a continual increase in the number of houses being built and we are really looking forward to it because it creates economic activity as well."

Minister for Regional Development Clare Scriven agreed with Mr Bell, stating the homes would have social and economic benefits for residents.

"Looking at the opportunity to have more social and affordable housing is absolutely huge and the Key Worker Accommodation Program is also a big part of that strategy to ensure places like Mount Gambier and the broader Limestone Coast can compete and continue to thrive and make sure we have all of the benefits we know can be eventuated here," Ms Scriven said.

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