EVERY South Australia country town has a unique identity, but there are some qualities they share.
They are all home to tight-knit communities.
They all provide a unique outdoor lifestyle, whether on our rugged coasts, through our beautiful agricultural regions, or in our outback deserts and scrublands.
And most of them are also in urgent need of more housing. I know this not only from growing up in Kapunda, but from visiting many regional communities right across the state.
In some areas the low-to-nil rental vacancy rates have prevented country areas from securing and retaining the skilled and essential workers their communities both need and deserve.
The Malinauskas Labor Government is acutely aware of the housing crisis being felt right across the state, and that housing development in regional areas is often particularly challenging.
It’s why we created the Office for Regional Housing as a way to work directly with local governments, developers, businesses, and communities to deliver real housing solutions in regional areas.
And why we launched the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme to deliver housing for critical frontline workers while easing the pressure on the local private rental market.
It was intended as a pilot program, but it’s fast gaining momentum.
We have already acquired development sites across Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Moonta Bay, and Renmark, with further land being explored for more housing in Kadina and Ceduna.
Our intention has always been to expand this model out to more regions and more employment sectors, and the first example of this has recently been announced in Bordertown.
An innovative partnership with Tatiara District Council will secure the first stage of a new development of up to 60 homes, enabling employers to access much-needed worker accommodation.
Each one of these developments represents something more than just bricks and mortar.
For families it represents a place to raise children, create memories, and make a home.
For the local economy it represents skills, craftmanship, labour, economic stimulus, and crucial jobs. For country communities, they represent homes for the local police officer, teacher, and nurse.
And for South Australia, they represent better lives for the people of our state, and a better future for our regions.
Nick Champion, Minister for Housing
