Shire of Augusta-Margaret River leaders pitch housing projects to Minister John Carey for review

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River leaders have suggested two projects for State Government consideration in the hope of alleviating the region’s housing crisis.

Acting shire president Tracey Muir and acting chief executive Arthur Kyron held a meeting with Housing Minister John Carey earlier this month, where they pleaded for the Minister and Department of Communities to address the scarcity of social housing in the shire.

The lead project plan involves developing a landholding on Willmott Avenue for community housing.

The shire has also pointed to existing Department of Communities homes in the town centre near Margaret River Primary School which could be reworked for higher density options.

Cr Muir said zoning work was already complete and the Department could lead those projects.

“Our community needs more housing and we’ve identified opportunities where the State could make an investment which would help people who are struggling to afford homes,” she told the Times.

“A lack of housing affects us all.

“It means we’re unable to house essential workers and puts individuals and families into financial stress, forcing them to live in their cars or leave the region altogether.”

In October last year the council approved rezoning for the defunct Water Corporation depot on Willmott Avenue for a medium-to-high-density housing project.

The development was pitched as a two-storey apartment complex. Shire planners said at the time the 2304sqm site could address affordable housing needs within walking distance of the town centre.

Although the land was expected to be offloaded to a private developer, the shire wants Mr Carey to direct his department to take action within a reasonable timeframe.

The pitch was one of several actions the council is taking as part of increased lobbying of the State Government amid concerns the region is being overlooked and dismissed as a wealthy enclave.

“The State’s investment in tourism and economic development in the region will be undermined if our community’s cultural fabric and cohesion continues to be stretched and eroded because there is no equivalent social investment,” Cr Muir said.

Mr Carey’s office was contacted for comment but was unable to provide a response before the Times’ deadline.