18 September 2023
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed today’s announcement by the WA Government of nearly $12 million to unlock new accommodation developments in regional areas, which will help address critical housing shortages that are afflicting the state’s hospitality industry.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the Infrastructure Development Fund investment will help tackle housing shortages in regional areas which are preventing employers from being able to hire and retain the workers they require.
“Much work is being done by the State and Commonwealth Government to attract workers to regional WA, but the lack of affordable housing remains the biggest impediment to this taking place,” Mr Woods said.
“We welcome significant, long-term investments such as today’s announcement, which will fund some critical infrastructure requirements that delay the commencement of new housing developments.”
“For WA’s accommodation and hospitality industry to put its best foot forward, it is imperative that there are adequate, affordable housing options made available for workers.”
“As two of WA’s key tourism destinations, we particularly welcome the investments being made in Broome and Kalgoorlie, which will unlock major projects that will alleviate housing shortages in these areas.”
“We also encourage the Government to urgently progress regulations to WA’s unlicensed short-stay accommodation industry, which could see thousands of homes return to the long-term rental market.”
“In the Shire of Broome, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Shire of Shark Bay alone, hundreds of properties have been removed from the long-term rental market and placed on short-stay platforms, exacerbating housing shortages in these areas.”
“The AHA commends Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti and the Minister for Planning for making the necessary long-term investments to ensure there is adequate housing for the workers we need to make regional WA a great place to live and an attractive place to work.”
Further information: David De Garis 0412 577 567
