A recent report from CCIWA highlights the severe impact of housing shortages on regional businesses in WA.
According to the June Regional Pulse report, 73% of business in these areas are struggling to attract and retain staff due to insufficient housing.
In addition, a Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report finds WA needs to build at least 6,000 more homes annually, a 45% increase from current building rates, to meet the National Housing Accord target of 25,817 new units each year.
WA regions hit hard by housing and skills shortages
CCIWA Chief Economist Aaron Morey says while housing supply is a national issue, it is particularly pronounced in regional WA.
“When you consider the size and remoteness of WA, having suitable housing close to where people work is absolutely vital,” he says.
“The Kimberley is the hardest hit, with 94% of businesses saying housing was impacting their ability to attract and keep workers, followed by the Pilbara (74%), Goldfields-Esperance (59%), Wheatbelt (50%) and Great Southern (48%).”
Quick, affordable solution
In response to this pressing need, companies are trying to become smarter in their offerings.
CCIWA spoke with Advantage Member, Summit Homes, about its plans to help ease the housing shortage.
Brad Bairstow, Summit’s Modular and Backbone Steel General Manager says the quick build time of its three-bedroom, one-bathroom home Modular and Tiny Homes range has strong appeal for businesses looking to source employee housing.
“They provide a compact, quality home in a very quick timeframe [of 16 weeks, from council approval] and because they are precision built in a factory, we can better utilise our trades and minimise waste,” he says.
“The reduced footprint allows for better land allocation.”
Baristow says the range offers a “high-quality home in a short timeframe” without the burden on local trade resources.
“This is important because we have a large trade shortage in the metropolitan area and an even larger shortage in regional areas,” he says.
Businesses building and buying housing
Many businesses operating in the regions are resorting to building and buying their own accommodation for workers, including grain handler CBH Group as it prepares for the 2024-25 harvest later this year.
“Housing availability is a significant challenge in regional WA which can impact construction contractors working on CBH sites and housing our annual intake of 1,500 to 2,000 harvest casual employees,” Ben Macnamara, CBH Group CEO told The West Australian.
“To counter these challenges, CBH has a significant investment program, building more accommodation at our sites and also existing accommodation that may be available in regional towns.”
Last year, CBH acquired the 60-bedroom Geraldton Motor Inn in the Mid West. Half of the rooms are used to accommodate its employees, while the other half cater to tourists and short-stay guests.
To be part of WA’s peak business organisation, get in touch via 1300 422 492 or [email protected].