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A $3.35 million Renewal SA trial will assess modular construction’s potential to deliver quality housing in communities with limited access to trades and materials.
Delivered through its Office for Regional Housing, the trial brings together Destination Built, Fleetwood and Urbanlux. Each supplier was selected through a competitive tender to provide one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom transportable home. (main image: modular homes on display in Adelaide’s north as part of Renewal SA’s $3.35 million trial exploring key worker housing for regional South Australia. Credit all images Renewal SA)
The demonstration gives regional councils, businesses and industry groups an opportunity to assess the homes before they are relocated to rural South Australian communities for ongoing occupation by key government workers.
Renewal SA is working with partners in the Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula as potential destinations.
Peter Gatsios, Renewal SA’s Executive Director overseeing the Office for Regional Housing, said the trial would challenge perceptions about modular homes’ size, design, liveability and feasibility.
“We want to demonstrate these homes stack up against traditional builds in every possible way and particularly when it comes to build costs and construction times in the regions,” Mr Gatsios said.
“Many smaller regional towns are constrained by almost non-existent construction industries and limited access to materials, leading in many cases to negative housing and population growth.”
He said shortages of good-quality housing could undermine communities’ ability to attract and retain healthcare and education workers.
Designed for ongoing regional occupation
Constructed offsite and transported to Edinburgh, each dwelling includes an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, two bathrooms, a laundry and an alfresco area. Two-bedroom homes have a footprint of approximately 115 square metres, with three-bedroom homes exceeding 135 square metres.
Destination Built General Manager Tracey Jones said regional delivery required an understanding of local construction constraints.
“Prefabricated housing models are especially important in regional areas, where trade shortages and construction timelines heavily impact regional developers,” Ms Jones said.
Fleetwood Australia Chief Executive Officer Andrea Pidcock said contemporary modular construction had developed considerably beyond earlier demountable buildings.
“Modern modular homes are robust, permanent structures built to the same regulatory, quality and performance standards as traditional construction.”
The Edinburgh demonstration area is open by appointment for councils, businesses and industry groups interested in assessing the homes.
Contact the Office for Regional Housing to book an inspection HERE
