The Copper Coast is the latest recipient of essential key worker housing after the Office for Regional Housing successfully secured a country-based builder to deliver nine new homes in Moonta and Kadina.
Country Living Homes has been contracted to build five houses in Kadina and a further four in Moonta Bay for government staff as part of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme - a welcome step towards addressing gaps in housing supply and the retention of frontline workers throughout the Copper Coast.
The multi-award winning South Australian homes builder will use its expertise in building rural homes to deliver a mix of two-and-three-bedroom homes in both towns having been selected through an open market tender process.
Works are anticipated to commence in the middle of the year with the houses ready for workers to move in during the second half of 2025.
The homes will house key government staff, including teachers, police officers, and healthcare workers and help to ease pressure on local housing markets.
Office for Regional Housing Director, Matt Hunt, highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme, which play a pivotal role in supporting regional growth and the delivery of essential services.
“The Scheme is an enabler of growth in our regions,” Mr Hunt said. “Providing this new housing not only helps to deliver quality government services in regional South Australia, but it also frees up other housing stock for individuals, and private sector businesses to accommodate their growing workforce needs, having a positive knock-on effect to those local economies."
Housing Industry Australia Executive Director Stephen Knight said the announcement came at a welcome time.
“The addition of new homes in South Australia’s regions will help replenish housing stock and draw key workers to the region. It will also provide opportunities for apprentices and trainees -both young men and women - who are keen to stay in their home towns,” Mr Knight said.
“If local building businesses and suppliers can see a consistent pipeline of work ahead, they will have the confidence to invest in their future workforce.”
Copper Coast Mayor Roslyn Talbot said council had been working with the Office for Regional Housing to deliver this much needed key worker housing.
“We look forward to the new homes which will be delivered through this scheme for key workers which will help us attract and retain essential workforce in the Copper Coast and importantly replenish the rental stocks available” Mayor Talbot said.
“The Copper Coast is the lifestyle location of choice, and having homes for key workers helps to ensure that as our region continues to thrive, we have the capacity to provide the services required.
“This is a great initiative by the Office for Regional Housing, and we are pleased it recognises the Copper Coast as an area of growth and have included the Copper Coast in this program.”
The ongoing success of the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme is expected to see more regions added to the Office for Regional Housing’s portfolio of work, benefiting organisations and businesses seeking long-term access to fit-for-purpose housing for their workers.
The Office for Regional Housing, established as part of the state government's A Better Housing Future initiative, remains committed to tackling the chronic housing shortage in country areas and supporting regional communities.
For further information, please visit officeregionalhousing.sa.gov.au or contact [email protected].