Housing and worker accommodation
In recent years, access to affordable accommodation has become increasingly challenging, particularly in regional areas like the Great Southern. The nationwide housing shortage has made it difficult for prospective first-time home buyers to enter the market, and has created a highly competitive rental environment.
Available housing is crucial for local communities and workers migrating to support various industries. The availability of worker accommodation significantly impacts both regional liveability and the economic potential of key sectors. Ensuring sufficient housing can attract a skilled workforce, support local businesses, and foster economic growth, making it a pivotal factor in regional planning and development. Addressing housing shortages can lead to more stable and prosperous communities, underscoring the interconnectedness of housing, liveability, and economic vitality.
Housing projects
The GSDC along with a broad range of stakeholders has been working to address housing challenges in the region.
Collaborating with government bodies and regional stakeholders, we have contributed to projects focused on reducing constraints on residential land activation, and developing a roadmap for short and medium-term worker housing provision.
A significant development in Great Southern housing, was the proposal for a large-scale urban renewal project in the Albany suburb of Spencer Park. This mixed-use development will include social and affordable housing, commercial space, and consultation rooms, addressing the existing demands for social and worker accommodation. Find out more about the project.
We further established the ‘Housing the Workforce’ Working Group to help position the region to take advantage of other opportunities to develop worker housing. The working group included 11 local governments, community housing organisations, and government agencies, with varying levels of engagement based on their roles.
Additionally, we have collaborated with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) on a modular housing pilot to address worker accommodation needs. Suitable sites are being identified in collaboration with local governments to assess and test the feasibility of modular housing solutions.
In 2025, we led the Great Southern Worker Accommodation Strategy 2025 through collaboration with all 11 local governments. This evidence-based framework established solutions including adaptive reuse, strategic infill development, and targeted new construction. Our ongoing implementation support involves regional working group facilitation and delivery plan coordination.
