Unity is the answer to Mackay’s housing crisis
FOLLOWING the Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit, Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) was the first stakeholder entity to outline its support for the Greater Whitsundays Housing Alliance.
Taking into account insights from the Urbis Housing Research report and the Urbis Greater Whitsundays Region Housing Playbook, RDA GW CEO Robert Cocco said the key to unlocking new housing stock is “collaboration between stakeholders”.
“A key recommendation within the Whitsundays Region Housing Playbook was for the formation of a Housing Alliance that would see stakeholders commit to tackling the current and future housing challenges and drive a positive set of solutions.
“This Summit provided an opportunity for those partnerships to form, which will be essential when seeking to apply for State and Federal funding.”
RDA GW will commit $10,000 per annum for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years to support the Housing Alliance operations and resources in-kind.
Greater Whitsunday Communities Executive Officer Carol Norris said the Greater Whitsunday Housing Alliance “offers a tangible chance to unite efforts, amplify impact, and chart a path for comprehensive solutions across the housing spectrum”.
“As a crucial project partner, RDA GW's multi-level policy expertise and financial support guided and shaped the favourable outcome of support for the Housing Alliance at the Summit.
“Their continued commitment to the Housing Alliance will be pivotal to orchestrating the regional action plan.”
Mrs. Norris also acknowledged RDA GW’s involvement in the Summit and Urbis Playbook that helped raise support for the Housing Alliance.
“Greater Whitsunday Communities extends our deep appreciation to RDA GW for their vital financial investment and invaluable in-kind assistance in crafting the Urbis Greater Whitsunday Housing Playbook.”
The summit addressed key gaps in the region’s housing system, from housing innovations for reduced costs and quicker completion to independent living options for seniors and aged care.
Representatives from the three levels of government, economic development bodies, building industry, residential and commercial developers, finance and lending, real estate, social housing peak bodies, emergency housing peak bodies, industry peak bodies, sector businesses and the general community converged to determine a solution to the ongoing housing crisis.
Greater Whitsundays Housing Alliance Chair Malcolm Hull said, “There are numerous housing programs and housing bodies that are all trying to get a better outcome for the housing market and, ultimately, for the consumer”.
“To be able to achieve a lower cost and more efficient house that can be supplied in a reasonable timeframe is the goal of the collective.”
The Summit has been a catalyst for action regarding the housing crisis, but Mr. Hull said, “not all the answers have been found”.
However, he recognised that RDA GW’s “ongoing support has many positive outcomes for all concerned in finding possible answers and solutions to the housing crises facing this region”.
“The contribution and assistance provided by RDA GW was invaluable and very much appreciated,” said Mr. Hull.