More investment in housing

The South Australian Government will help deliver more than 200 homes across 10 regional centres under the first stage of projects to be delivered through the $10 million Regional Housing Initiatives Program.

More than $6 million has been provisionally allocated in this first wave, subject to final contract terms, to help deliver more than 200 move-in-ready houses and serviced residential allotments across the state.

Bordertown and Mount Gambier are both in the initial group of seven projects designed to fast track residential allotments.

The Tatiara District Council has secured $779,318 to help develop the final two stages of a 55-allotment residential subdivision in Bordertown, while the Mount Gambier investment of $623,455 is for Evergreen Built to help develop 16 medium[1]density residential allotments and eight Specialist Disability Accommodation.

The aim of the Regional Housing Initiatives Program is to identify residential projects that deliver the greatest strategic value for the state but could benefit from targeted assistance from the State Government to get started.

There was strong interest in the program with 30 submissions received from councils, local industry, employers, and developers for investment consideration.

The recent State Budget included another $20 million for more regional housing projects to come over the next 2 to 3 financial years.

South Australian Housing Minister Nick Champion said the Government was helping kickstart important housing developments across regional South Australia, to help get these projects off the ground.

“Our regions are important economic generators but housing is incredibly limited, so the Government is investing in these ten projects to enable further growth,” Minister Champion said. “These projects are subject to the successful outcome of final commercial negotiations with the preferred partners but have the potential to deliver more than 200 housing outcomes in areas of our state it is needed most.”

The Office for Regional Housing was established in 2023 within Renewal SA, as an initiative of A Better Housing Future with a commitment to working with local governments, economic development agencies, and employers to address housing shortages in regional South Australia.

This latest program builds upon the successful Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme which is delivering 30 houses for key government workers across the Copper Coast, Riverland, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta and Ceduna.

The first homes have already been completed in Port Augusta and Mount Gambier and are occupied by teachers, paramedics and police officers.

It’s expected all 30 houses under the pilot program will be complete by September next year.