Mid West Development Commission launches advisory group to address Geraldton housing crisis after forum

An advisory group formed to deliver better solutions to challenges in the housing sector and get more projects off the ground has been established on the back of a forum held earlier this year. The Mid West Development Commission will draft a Geraldton Worker Housing Action Plan based on feedback from the Geraldton Housing Forum and research into the local housing market. About 80 people attended the June forum with the building sector, developers, land holders, community housing organisations and government agencies all represented. The forum addressed the low uptake of building approvals and quantity of land available across the City of Greater Geraldton, the need for housing to attract and retain skilled labour, the high demand for rentals and low vacancy rates and the high cost of construction in the region. A Worker Housing Advisory Group and an Industry Working Group will be formed. The advisory group will be made up of peak bodies, relevant government agencies and the Master Builders Association. The working group will consist of people in the local building and construction sector who will be able to provide direct experience and advice from their business vantage point and help refine and execute the draft plan. MWDC CEO Nils Hay said there was no simple fix to industry challenges, but the advisory and working groups could provide advice around what changes could be made to see more housing delivered and make Geraldton a thriving city. “We know that accommodation to support workforce growth is an important consideration for the delivery of the many projects that are being developed in the region,” he said. “Our local construction sector will know better than anyone else what the local issues are, and they’ll be well placed to advise on possible local solutions.” “We’re keen to do what we can locally to support the broader government efforts, and also to try to identify some local opportunities and interventions to help tackle the specific difficulties we’re facing in Geraldton and the Mid West.”