The Office for Regional Housing is a dedicated office within Renewal SA, committed to working with local governments, economic development agencies and employers to address housing shortages in regional South Australia.
By helping to increase the supply of quality, affordable homes, we will help improve economic growth and quality of life in our regions.
About the Office for Regional Housing
South Australia’s regions are key contributors to the state’s prosperity, generating over $30 billion every year in economic activity across critical industries such as farming, fishing, mining, manufacturing and tourism.
There's an exciting focus towards bolstering population growth and economic vitality in regional South Australia, where there's a pressing need for housing solutions.
Our regions face a range of challenges, including limited access to infrastructure, high cost of materials and transport, limited local construction and developer capacity, small scale of developments and restricted access to finance. These challenges vary across regions, and it is important that the state government is able to work with local governments and stakeholders to address the challenges specific to each region.
For our regional communities to thrive and to attract and retain the workforce needed to underpin future growth, we need to unlock more opportunities for people to be able to live in affordable and fit for purpose homes.
The Office for Regional Housing aims to tackle the unique housing challenges facing regional South Australia by:
- Facilitating the development of new key worker rental housing in regional South Australia through the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme; and
- Supporting the planning and implementation of housing projects through strategic advice and targeted funding assistance
The Office for Regional Housing will, where possible, help to facilitate housing projects identified by local governments, regional employers, the development industry and other peak bodies that provide strategic affordable and key worker housing in the regions.
The Office for Regional Housing reports to Renewal SA’s Chief Executive, the Urban Renewal Authority Board of Management and the Minister for Housing and Urban Development.
Initiatives and Opportunities
The Office for Regional Housing plays a pivotal role in addressing the housing challenges of regional communities and contributes to South Australia’s future growth. By partnering with developers, local councils, and key stakeholders, the Office provides guidance, funding support, and strategic assistance tailored to the needs of each region. This collaboration ensures that developers are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of regional housing projects.
Councils, local industry, employers, and developers were invited to submit proposed projects for investment consideration from the Regional Housing Initiatives Program via a Registration of Interest (ROI) in 2024.
The ROI aimed to identify residential projects that could deliver the greatest strategic value for the state, with the Renewal SA’s funding securing allotments or lease options for government initiatives such as its regional key worker housing scheme.
A total of 30 applications were received by the Office for Regional Housing, with an Assessment Panel providing a list of recommended projects, setting out parameters for the negotiation of non-binding Key Commercial Terms with the shortlisted applicants.
Find out more about the Regional Housing Initiatives Program outcomes.
As part of its function, the Office will administer a new Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme which will encourage greater investment in rental housing for critical workers in regional areas.
Under this scheme, the Office for Regional Housing will develop new homes in key regional centres which will be sold to private investors with long-term, employer-backed leases attached.
In the first instance, the scheme will facilitate the delivery of new housing for police, teachers and healthcare workers in key country areas.
A pilot program will deliver approximately 30 homes for these key service sectors across the Copper Coast, Riverland, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta and Ceduna.
A further 5 homes are set to be delivered in Bordertown as an expansion of the scheme thanks to a cross-government partnership between the Office and Tatiara District Council.
The construction of the houses in the pilot project will help to attract and retain critical service workers to regional areas and to reduce pressure on the private rental market.
The Office is coordinating the scheme in collaboration with local councils, regional businesses, builders, investors, and other state government departments.
Following the delivery of the pilot program, there is scope for the scheme to be expanded to other regions and be available to organisations seeking to secure long-term access to new, fit-for-purpose housing for their workers.
Are you a regional builder and want to work with us?
Our team
Matt Hunt
Director, Office for Regional housing
Matt Hunt, a proud South Australian with deep roots in the country, is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to unlocking the vast potential for growth and prosperity in regional South Australia.
Commencing his professional life as a farmer on his family's mixed cropping and grazing property in the Upper South East, he has a strong affinity for the Tatiara region, where his brother continues to farm the land purchased by their great-great-grandfather over a century ago.
Transitioning from agricultural pursuits to finance, Matt pursued studies in finance at Adelaide University in the late 1990s. Subsequently, he spent a decade in the banking sector, with stints in Sydney, London, and North America. Specialising in social infrastructure projects, his work involved orchestrating collaborations between companies and financial entities to develop, finance, and manage new schools, hospitals, and courtrooms.
Returning to South Australia in 2008, Matt contributed to the delivery of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital for SA Health. His career trajectory shifted to property development in 2016, focusing initially on coordinating projects in the Adelaide Riverbank and CBD area within Renewal SA.
His professional journey has been marked by a commitment to bringing together people, businesses, and government entities to find practical solutions for community development.
Assuming the role of Director of the Office for Regional Housing presents an exciting opportunity for Matt to leverage his 25 years of experience in addressing the pressing challenge of housing supply in regional South Australia.
Recognising that housing plays a critical role in attracting and retaining the workforce necessary for driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in regional areas, he is eager to contribute to this vital aspect of state development.
Andrew Christiansen
Manager, Office for Regional Housing
Andrew Christiansen resides and operates in Clare where he previously held the position of Director of Development and Community at the Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council.
With extensive experience collaborating with industry, regional communities, and various levels of government across South Australia, Andrew possesses a deep understanding of business challenges and the evolving landscape of the state's economy. He firmly believes in the government's pivotal role in fostering development.
Andrew's background includes roles in project and policy management for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA in the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North, as well as for the former Department of State Development, contributing to projects like the Tonsley Innovation District redevelopment.
Beginning his professional journey as a town planner with the international consultancy WSP (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff), Andrew also holds a keen interest in sustainability, having completed a Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Design at the University of South Australia.
Growing up on a fruit block in Waikerie in the Riverland, Andrew spent his formative years picking oranges, avocados, and grapes alongside his family. Today, he relishes in the country lifestyle with his wife, while also enjoying the adventure of raising two young children.
Duane Mullooly
Assistant Development Manager
Duane Mullooly, a recent arrival to Adelaide and advocate for South Australia's enviable lifestyle, is thrilled to be a part of the team at the Office for Regional Housing within Renewal SA. His experience spans various domains, beginning with reservoir maintenance for a local water board in South Africa, followed by a decade in commercial finance roles in New Zealand and the UK. Driven by an interest in property, he then embarked on a fulfilling seven-year journey in the commercial real estate sector, deepening his understanding of the property market and its impact on people's lives.
In 2018, a family trip to visit friends in McLaren Vale convinced Duane and his wife to relocate their young family to Adelaide. This decision led him to Renewal SA, initially joining the Commercial division before transitioning to the Office for Regional Housing. It was this shift that truly resonated with his aspirations, finding alignment with a team dedicated to effecting positive change in regional communities—a mission he is proud to be part of.
In his role at the Office for Regional Housing, Duane is excited to leverage his diverse background and expertise to contribute meaningfully to their collective mission. Together, they are committed to delivering tangible outcomes that enhance the lives of individuals and families across South Australia's regional landscape. He is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a dynamic and purpose-driven team and looks forward to the journey ahead as they continue to make a real difference in the communities they serve.
John Yin
Development Manager
With over a decade of experience in property development and government housing, John's journey began as a young graduate civil engineer with the South Australian Housing Trust. His profound commitment to social equity and sustainable urban development has been evident throughout his career, as he played a pivotal role in shaping numerous successful projects aimed at providing affordable, specialized, and inclusive housing solutions for both the State Government and the community.
Transitioning into land development projects with Renewal SA further honed John's expertise in property development. His proficiency spans strategic planning, community engagement, project management, and financial acumen. Notably, John spearheaded the successful completion of multiple greenfield and brownfield developments in Playford Alive, significantly expanding social and affordable housing options while enhancing community amenities.
A Civil Engineer by trade and a certified Project Management Professional, John remains committed to continuous professional development, ensuring he remains abreast of industry trends and best practices. John champions a strategic vision aimed at developing comprehensive housing strategies that align with governmental objectives and address community needs. His passion for innovative housing solutions, coupled with his strategic foresight and hands-on experience, positions him to drive meaningful housing outcomes for the regions of South Australia.
Having grown up on a farm, John has a deep appreciation for nature and has spent much of his youth travelling the world. Settling in Adelaide in 2008, he has embraced the vibrant Australian lifestyle. As an avid runner, he is often found exploring the picturesque trails that South Australia has to offer.
