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Essential workers’ housing needs are addressed with modular housing development in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
In Western Australia, the acute housing and affordability crisis has spurred innovative solutions, with modular housing emerging as a key strategy. The recent approval of a $140 million modular workers’ village in Kalgoorlie-Boulder by the local council highlights this trend. Aimed at easing regional housing pressures, the project will see 393 new modular homes developed on a 16ha site at Hart Kerspian Drive, Broadwood. The first stage, delivering up to 100 homes, is expected within the next 18 months, confirming the speed and efficiency of modular construction.
The development, managed by Western Australia-based M Group, is particularly targeted at providing accommodation for essential workers such as teachers, nurses, doctors, and police.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor, Glenn Wilson, emphasised that this project is vital for alleviating the current accommodation shortage and sustaining the growing needs of the city. Despite facing 89 objections, the council sees this development as aligning with their vision for a sustainable community.
“Overall, this development proposal aligns with our vision for securing a sustainable community into the future and we will work closely with JDAP, pending their decision, to ensure a responsible and beneficial outcome for all stakeholders,” he said.
The lifestyle village, which could see up to 100 new modular homes built in the first stage over 18 months, comes amid estimates that Kalgoorlie-Boulder needs up to 4,000 new dwellings over the next decade. With more than 2,000 job vacancies being advertised in the region, the mining city is also grappling with an immediate shortfall of 168 properties.
Further illustrating the versatility of modular housing in addressing housing shortages in Western Australia, according to a report by the ABC, a family-owned business in Shark Bay led by Liam Ridgley is also using modular housing to address local accommodation challenges. Facing a severe shortage of housing for potential employees, they have resorted to building modular homes in Geraldton and transporting them to Shark Bay. This approach provides a quick and practical solution to the housing crunch, which affects local businesses and their ability to expand.
The WA state government has also been proactive in tackling short-term rental issues, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Shark Bay. By introducing a $10,000 incentive to encourage the conversion of holiday homes into long-term rentals, they aim to regulate the short-term accommodation market and address the shortage of available housing for permanent residents and workers.
