A Limestone Coast builder is being sought to construct the second tranche of key worker housing in Mt Gambier as the Office For Regional Housing continues to surge ahead with its delivery of homes for teachers, healthcare workers and police in country areas.
A tender for the work opened on 15 February, to build two four-bedroom homes north east of the city centre.
Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing is managing the development as part of its Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme, aimed at attracting and retaining essential government workers across regional South Australian towns.
This latest tender follows the appointment of third-generation family-owned business, Empak in December to construct four single-storey homes in the city. Construction of those homes will commence in February after planning approval was secured earlier this year.
This time last year, the state government launched its A Better Housing Future initiative, and with it the Office for Regional Housing, designed to tackling the chronic housing shortage in country areas and supporting regional communities.
“Mount Gambier was identified as a priority region in need of purpose-built housing for essential workers and the Office for Regional housing has been working tirelessly to identify and secure land appropriate for that purpose,” Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion said.
“We are looking for a local builder who can help us fast track this latest opportunity, that will help support quality government services in Mount Gambier and also help reduce pressure on the private rental market.”
In addition to the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme, the Office for Regional Housing has been working with local governments, economic development agencies and regional employers to assess localised housing needs, opportunities and ways to address shortages.
“It is critical that improving economic growth and quality of life in our regions is front and centre of our thinking and regional councils and local industry have been instrumental in identifying ongoing demand and need,” Office for Regional Housing Director Matt Hunt said.
“We look forward to continued input from country communities and stakeholders to deliver critical housing stock as efficiently and quickly as possible.”
Construction of the latest Mt Gambier homes is expected to commence mid-year, with the first tenants to move in in the latter half of 2025.
Builders are invited to tender through the SA Tenders and Contracts website, reference number URA054588.
For further information, please visit officeregionalhousing.sa.gov.au or contact [email protected].