SURVEY REVEALS REGIONAL HOUSING CRISIS STRAINS HEALTH AND INDUSTRY

Recent survey findings from members of Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) paint a stark picture: 100% of respondents report that local health services are feeling the strain of the housing shortage, while an overwhelming 93% indicate that major local industries are also being adversely affected.

Chair of Regional Capitals Australia, Cr Kylie King, expressed deep concern over the multifaceted impacts of the housing crisis: “What started as a housing shortage has now evolved into a full-blown health and employment crisis in regional areas.”

Cr King elaborated on the wide-ranging consequences: “The acute shortage of housing in regional Australia is not only hampering local employment opportunities but also impeding the provision of essential services and critical national projects such as our transition to renewable energy.”

In-depth case studies conducted in RCA member councils Albury, Ballarat, Geelong, and Port Hedland underscore common challenges, including the exorbitant costs associated with infrastructure development, skills deficits, and the underutilisation of existing land and properties.

While Regional Capitals Australia acknowledges the efforts of all levels of government to address the housing shortfall, it calls for more decisive action to combat the crisis.

Gloucester NSW

To tackle the housing crisis head-on, Regional Capitals Australia proposes the following measures:

• Increased release of crown land for social and affordable housing
• Implementation of planning guidelines mandating inclusionary zoning or pre-set ratios for social and affordable housing
• Flexibility for infill development in established areas
• Refurbishment or redevelopment of government-owned derelict housing
• Adoption of innovative housing solutions such as 3D printing, modular, or prefabricated housing
• Support for the development of project partnerships with local housing providers
• Continued support for infrastructure development costs

The survey also highlights skills shortages as a significant impediment, with 87% of RCA member councils identifying a scarcity of builders and tradespeople as the primary barrier to new housing initiatives. Additionally, 73% of respondents reported a shortfall in strategic and statutory planners, essential for planning and approving residential developments.

To address skills shortages, Regional Capitals Australia recommends:

• Ensuring that skilled migration aligns with regional needs
• Providing scholarships and subsidies for degrees and training in areas experiencing skills shortages, particularly in planning
• Increased investment in technical education and apprenticeships
• Expansion of vocational education offerings in more locations to reduce travel barriers

Cr King emphasised the urgency of responsive policy measures: “Regional housing supply must catch up with demographic shifts, necessitating more adaptive, innovative, and dynamic policy settings to empower regional councils to meet the unique needs of their communities.”

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