IN yet another promising sign for regional towns north of Adelaide, Two Wells has been making headlines for its unprecedented level of growth.
The town’s population increased by 27 per cent from 2016-21, with local families found to be earning higher incomes than those in Greater Adelaide and more likely to own their own homes.
Two Wells has also seen thousands of jobs created, with many more in the pipeline, and heavy investment in community infrastructure, including residential precincts, a leading-edge school, a wastewater treatment plant, flood mitigation and the town’s connection to gas for the first time.
The findings are contained in a new report from strategic management consultancy Hudson Howells, commissioned by the Hickinbotham Group to help understand the changing Two Wells demographics and socio-economic indicators.
But it’s unlikely to be the only northern town with a shifting profile.
Just last month, Mallala made headlines for a $225 million housing development plan, led by local grain farmer Richard Konzag and Wel.Co – the development company run by former AFL footballer Andrew Welsh.
The plan would see around 500 homes built on 40ha of farming land owned by the Konzag family, accommodating over 1000 residents, which would more than double the town’s population.
In both cases, population growth, jobs creation and investment in infrastructure to support the demands would be positive – as long as you’re among the ‘haves’.
However, not everyone is in a position to have a place to call their own and there still isn’t enough assistance to help all those in need.
So, it’s a step in the right direction that the State Government is open to using quick-to-assemble homes as social housing to help those on lower incomes.
The single storey, modular, transportable housing would increase home supply while more permanent solutions are constructed.
A similar style has already made a difference locally, with the State Government helping the Kids Under Cover charity to set up prefabricated, flatpacked studios in family backyards to give young people a safe, secure environment and prevent them from leaving the nest prematurely and becoming homeless.
With a tender now open to shortlist suitable manufacturers and suppliers of rapid response modular social housing, will any locals step up?
