Renewal SA is seeking to partner with one or more private developers to deliver up to 15 new homes for key government workers in Port Augusta, offering long‑term leases for the homes and infrastructure funding to help unlock further housing development.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) released today by Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing responds to a growing need for appropriate housing for key government workers, including teachers, healthcare professionals and police, in the Upper Spencer Gulf.

The EOI invites private developers to construct between five and 15 homes that, once finished, would be leased to Government Employee Housing (GEH), offering guaranteed rental income for 10 years, with optional five‑year extensions.

The Office for Regional Housing would work with successful proponents to ensure suitability of designs and locations, provided homes can be completed within a maximum build time of 24 months.

Matt Hunt, Renewal SA’s Director of the Office for Regional Housing, said Port Augusta had a significant need for additional government housing.

“Port Augusta is evolving into a regional centre for education and trade, but like many regions, its continued growth is hamstrung by housing availability,” Mr Hunt said.

“This initiative responds to the need for more homes for essential workers but also empowers the private sector to drive housing growth directly, with state government backing.”

Port Augusta City Council Chief Executive Officer John Banks said despite progress being made in housing delivery, more needed to be done.

“With increasing population and revitalisation projects in the pipeline, enhanced development is essential to ensure that we can accommodate our residents effectively,” Mr Banks said.

Mr Banks said Port Augusta faced similar challenges to many regional towns, including limited suitable land availability, infrastructure capacity and funding limitations, and welcomed state government support to help projects move forward.

“State government support is absolutely vital for stimulating housing development in Port Augusta,” he said.

“Resources from the state can assist in overcoming existing challenges and can provide the necessary funding and policy framework required to initiate and expedite new projects.

“Collaborative efforts with Renewal SA and other state agencies will enhance our capabilities to deliver housing solutions more effectively.”

He said an increase in housing aimed at attracting police and teachers would have significant positive implications for Port Augusta.

“It would not only help attract and retain essential personnel in our area but would also contribute to enhanced community safety, education and overall wellbeing,” he said.

Renewal SA is also seeking to stimulate broader housing outcomes by offering up to $1 million in financial support to developers who create additional private allotments as part of their development.

The incentive would contribute a maximum of $100,000 per allotment for civil infrastructure and landscaping costs for roads, footpaths, street trees, power and water connections, to a total maximum of $1 million.

Renewal SA’s interest in Port Augusta follows similar Office for Regional Housing initiatives announced in Port Pirie and Port Lincoln.

Mr Hunt said Renewal SA’s strategic involvement was key to increasing construction scale in regional towns and the agency was continuing to explore further investment opportunities.

“The success of Port Pirie is motivating us to continue looking for suitable projects to partner with,” he said.

“We are getting close to a great outcome in Port Lincoln and will be looking to further expand into other areas in the first half of this year.”

The Office for Regional Housing has delivered 24 key worker homes across Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Kadina, Renmark and Moonta Bay. A further six homes in Ceduna are due for handover later this year and 10 more are in the early stages of planning in Bordertown and Kingscote.

“We have a raft of initiatives underway to bolster essential housing outcomes right across the state,” Mr Hunt said.

“By increasing the supply of quality, affordable homes, we aim to support population growth, enhance quality of life and stimulate economic activity in the regions.”

The Office for Regional Housing is also working with regional councils, business groups and private developers to invest in projects that will see hundreds of new homes created across regional South Australia through the $10 million Regional Housing Initiatives Program.

The opportunity will be open for eight weeks, closing at 5pm (ACDT) on Thursday 2 April 2026.