Housing Supply is an ongoing issue for WA and is a particular challenge in regional areas of the State. Investment in headworks and workforce development are critical to unlocking the State’s development potential.
Overview
The State Government continues to prioritise housing investment in the Budget – a critical need given Western Australia has recorded the largest percentage increase in population in the country over the past five years, growing by 11.5% (more than 300,000 people).
Collaboration among all levels of Government, industry stakeholders, and community organisations is essential to develop effective solutions.
Key initiatives included in the Budget are:
- A $246 million top-up of the Social and Affordable Housing Investment Fund
- $177 million to maintain and extend the life of the State’s social housing dwellings
- The $25 million Regional Housing Support Fund to support construction infrastructure and site preparation costs for new housing projects
- $104 million to expand the Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) program (to double the Government Regional Officer Housing construction program and to deliver more than 100 additional dwellings across regional Western Australia)
- $101 million (to 2029-30) from the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund to provide water, wastewater and power infrastructure for the development of new residential land and housing (allocated for 18 water projects and three power projects), and
- An additional $36.1 million to progress Housing Australia Future Fund social and affordable housing development projects, building on the $443.2 million commitment from the 2024-25 mid-year Review.
The Budget also allocates $120 million to support investment in skills, apprentices and traineeships for the construction sector and to address the current housing crisis.
WALGA Comment
Addressing housing shortages, including barriers to development such as headworks delays, remains an urgent priority for local communities across the State. WALGA welcomes the announcement of funding towards water, wastewater and power infrastructure as a critical enabler of housing supply.
WALGA also welcomes the $103 million commitment to expand the Government Regional Officer Housing program. GROH properties are essential to facilitate the attraction and retention of staff in regional and remote locations, ensuring that they can effectively serve their local communities.
WALGA has advocated for a review of the Government Regional Officers Housing Program to improve coordination and responsiveness to regional housing needs and provide Local Governments with greater scope to invest in GROH.
Whilst the additional investment in GROH is positive, more is needed to keep pace with population increases and WALGA encourages greater collaboration and early engagement with Local Governments.
WALGA also notes the ongoing investment in social and affordable housing within the Budget. For these dwellings to provide a stable foundation for wider social and economic outcomes for households, the investment must be matched by investment in community services, community infrastructure and amenities to create vibrant and cohesive communities.
WALGA continues to advocate for the establishment of a comprehensive workforce development plan for the Local Government sector that includes a focus on recruitment, retention and training for current and emerging areas of skills shortages.
Of particular concern to WALGA is the ongoing shortage of building surveyors and the impact this will have on the housing and construction sectors going forward.
WALGA has previously called for support for traineeships and access for Local Governments to the Construction Training Fund to support this critical building profession and will continue to engage with the State on this matter.
