Teachers are the first to benefit from an increase in high-quality essential worker housing on the Copper Coast, following the completion of four homes in Moonta Bay last month.
The two- and three-bedroom homes were constructed under the state government's Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme (RKWHS), delivered by Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing.
A pilot project for the scheme is currently working to deliver 30 key worker houses across the regions by September 2025.
Matt Hunt, Director of the Office for Regional Housing, said he was pleased the agency was able to help support the growth of the education workforce in Moonta Bay, recognising the critical need for high-quality housing close to schools for teachers.
“Providing high-quality housing supply for teachers in the regions is absolutely fundamental in maintaining a sufficient education workforce,” Mr Hunt said.
“Too often, we hear about regional schools struggling to recruit teachers due to shortages in quality rental housing nearby.
“Teachers go above and beyond, often working many additional hours every day, then having to travel to their place of residence some distance away.
“We are pleased to play a role in helping to alleviate that issue in Moonta Bay.”
Dylan Strong, Chief Executive Officer of the Copper Coast Council, said the continued growth of the region relied on professionals moving to the area to undertake essential service roles like teaching.
“Housing is a critical and enabling factor in attracting skilled and experienced people,” Mr Strong said.
Mr Strong is an advocate for people moving to the region, noting its enviable lifestyle for anyone looking to escape the city.
On inspecting the four houses prior to their completion, Mr Strong said high-quality houses such as those being built were needed to drive people to move to the regions.
The Office for Regional Housing partnered with the multi-award-winning, family-owned and operated Country Living Homes to build the homes.
“We’re proud to partner with the SA Government to deliver quality housing for teachers in Moonta Bay,” said Jack Ravenscroft, Business Manager at Country Living Homes.
“Supporting educators by providing them with comfortable and modern homes is something we’re really pleased to be a part of.
“It’s great to know that these homes will help attract and retain teachers in our local schools.”
Like many businesses in the regions, Country Living Homes has close ties with local schools.
“Being a locally based business, we have strong ties to the community, and many of our team members have kids in local schools,” Mr Ravenscroft added.
“Knowing that our work is directly helping to provide stable housing for teachers - and in turn, strengthening our local schools - is really rewarding.
“It’s great to think that this project could have a lasting impact on education in the area, making Moonta Bay an even more appealing place for teachers and families.”
The Moonta Bay based builder prides itself on supporting a local workforce, which was able to deliver the four homes in just seven months.
“We’re committed to supporting local trades wherever possible, and for this project, 90% of the workforce was locally based in the Copper Coast.
“It’s always a priority for us to work with skilled tradespeople from the area, as it helps boost the local economy and ensures high-quality workmanship from people who take pride in building within their own community.”
Meanwhile, 20km down the road in Kadina, construction is almost finished on another five houses.
The two- and three-bedroom homes, expected to be complete in July will be home to police and healthcare workers, providing an additional boost to essential services in the area.
Mr Hunt reiterated the Office for Regional Housing's commitment to the speedy delivery of high-quality key worker homes across the state, highlighting the need for the state government to work in lockstep with local councils and builders to ensure on-time delivery.
“Ongoing engagement with stakeholders on the Copper Coast, where we’ve been able to work through issues at a steady pace, has resulted in build times many could only dream of,” Mr Hunt said.
“It’s looking like the five homes in Kadina will be complete in just under one year, meaning critical workers are able to get into their new homes and start supporting the local community.”
Completed houses will also soon be listed for sale, offering an opportunity for the private market to invest in regional housing, backed by the state government.
The homes will be rented back to the state government with a minimum 10-year lease commitment, maintenance agreements, and make-good provisions at the end of the lease.
Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing was established in 2023 with the goal of supporting economic development and job growth in country areas by helping to unlock key strategic housing projects.
Its Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme is among the Office for Regional Housing’s key priorities, facilitating a pilot program of 30 housing deliveries across the Copper Coast, Riverland, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, and Ceduna.
Nineteen homes have now been completed, and additional projects are set to be announced in the coming months following a $20 million boost to Regional Housing announced in the 2024-2025 State Budget.