The Office for Regional Housing has delivered on a major milestone, securing land in Ceduna and going out to tender for a builder for the final six homes within a pilot program to secure more essential worker housing in country areas.
In February 2023, as part of the state government’s A Better Housing Future initiative, Renewal SA established the Office for Regional and tasked it with developing a Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme which would deliver an initial 30 homes across five priority areas within the state. The five key areas forming part of the pilot - Mt Gambier, Port Augusta, the Riverland, Copper Coast and Ceduna – were identified as having a critical need for housing for teachers, health care workers and police officers to deliver essential services within those cities and townships.
The six houses in Ceduna round out the pilot’s remit, however the Scheme is far from done, having already expanded to fulfil a need for both public and private sector housing in Bordertown via an innovative cross-government partnership with Tatiara District Council. The Office is also actively pursuing proposals in other regional areas.
The Ceduna homes will be up to three bedrooms each and will be within walking distance of its main street and the local area school – making them ideal for essential workers who are relocating with families.
Shane Wingard, Renewal SA's Executive Director Residential Project Delivery and Assets, said the speed in which the Office had secured land and begun development across all five regions, demonstrated its commitment to supporting the regions – an economic powerhouse for the state – and delivering critical housing supply during a housing crisis.
“By pushing forward on these key projects, we are taking tangible steps to ensure that they have access to safe, quality housing, allowing them to thrive in their professions and contribute to the well-being of our regional communities,” Mr Wingard said.
“The Ceduna development marks a significant milestone in the commitment of the state government to support those who play essential roles in our communities.”
He said the delivery of more rental opportunities for government workers in places like Ceduna will play a pivotal role in supporting regional growth long term.
“Now that we have shown that this model works, we hope to deliver a steady stream of key worker housing in regional towns right across the state to assist in the delivery of essential government services as well as freeing up other housing stock for individuals, and private sector businesses to accommodate their growing workforce needs,” Mr Wingard said.
“The Office for Regional Housing will also continue to prioritise its talks and partnerships with regional councils, employers, the development community and other stakeholder groups to identify strategic housing projects and cut through red tape to get them to market quicker.”
Construction of the Ceduna homes are expected commence mid-year, with the first tenants to move in during in the latter half of 2025.
Builders are invited to tender through the SA Tenders and Contract website, reference number URA054594.
For further information, please visit officeregionalhousing.sa.gov.au or contact [email protected].