Local builder wins tender for nine houses for essential workers

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP is very pleased that local builder, Country Living Homes based at Moonta, has been contracted by the State Government to build five houses in Kadina and four in Moonta Bay to house essential workers. 

"These nine new houses will house government staff such as teachers, healthcare workers and police officers and will help attract and retain these essential workers to the Copper Coast district", Mr Ellis said. 

"I am especially pleased a local builder has been selected through the open market tender process and I am advised works are anticipated to commence this year and the houses will be ready for workers to move in during the second half of 2025".

The Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme is playing a vital role in addressing gaps in housing supply and the retention of frontline workers throughout the Copper Coast.

Office for Regional Housing Director Matt Hunt said the Scheme is an enabler of growth in our regions.

"Providing this new housing not only helps to deliver quality government services in regional South Australia, but it also frees up other housing stock for individuals, and private sector businesses to accommodate their growing workforce needs, having a positive knock-on effect to those local economies", he said.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion MP said the State Government recognises the invaluable contributions of our teachers, healthcare workers, and police to our communities and giving them a place to live is critical as they provide vital services to the regions.

"Country Living Homes brings strong local knowledge and importantly locally-based trades, so they are certainly well placed to deliver a positive outcome for their community", Minister Champion said.

The State Government has also opened a Registration of Interest (ROI) process, which will allow regional stakeholders to submit projects for funding consideration.

$10 million is available for regional Councils, local industry, employers and developers to help kickstart priority housing projects across country South Australia.

The aim of the ROI is to identify residential projects that deliver the greatest strategic value for the state but could benefit from targeted assistance from the State Government to get started.

The maximum assistance per proposal is $2 million. Submissions that are investment ready and can commence within 12 months will be prioritised.

Submissions will be open until 3 May 2024.