Esperance could fill 60 job vacancies immediately if the workers had somewhere to live, according to a Shire of Esperance survey.
Shire president Ron Chambers said the survey results were concerning: 30 out of 32 respondents reported that the lack of housing was a critical barrier to hiring staff.
“The absence of the wages, productivity, expertise and additional family members represented by just these 60 jobs is a loss to our community’s economic health that easily runs into millions of dollars each year,” he said.
Results from the survey showed demand for housing spans sectors across aged care, childcare, hospitality, retail, health, education, agriculture, and transport.
The 2023 Shire of Esperance Housing and Land Study provides a detailed analysis of the housing situation and future needs.
“The Study identifies key challenges, including high land development and construction costs, long build times, supply chain delays and State Government and industry use of existing housing resources, rather than creating new housing stock,” Mr Chambers said.
“These factors contribute to the limited housing capacity, which is unable to meet or keep up with growing demand.”
The study also notes that the influx of new residents seeking a lifestyle change, along with the growth in tourism, have further strained the housing market.
Many investors are converting long-term rentals into short-term accommodation, exacerbating the shortage of available housing for workers.
The Shire is seeking funding assistance to build a 20-unit Worker Accommodation Project, estimated to cost $7.95 million.
Shire CEO Shane Burge said the survey data, along with information from the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Workforce Australia, would be used to highlight the critical need for housing to the WA Government.
“The Shire of Esperance has committed to a contribution of $1.5million, and to provide land valued at $1.5million to realise the Project; however, the remaining funds are being sought from the State Government,” he said.
“Without State support the Project will not be financially viable for the Shire and the Esperance community.”
Mr Chambers said the Housing and Land Study outlined several areas of focus to address the housing shortage, requiring action across Federal and State Governments, as well as land developers and industry.
These include:
Increasing Land Supply: Funding support from State and Federal agencies for construction and servicing costs to develop residential and industrial land.
Development of State Land – The State Government owns significant land parcels in Esperance which if developed would increase the supply of land available to the market.
Increased State Government Region Housing – Increased provision of Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) would free up private rentals currently occupied by government workers.
Incentives for Developers: Advocate to the State Government for financial incentives to encourage the construction of affordable housing.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with private developers to leverage resources and expertise.
Mr Burge said by prioritising advocacy for these strategies, the Shire aimed to create a more robust and resilient housing market, accommodating the needs of current and future residents.
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