The City is seeking expressions of interest from developers and builders to partner with to develop more housing. Colloquially referred to as ‘Project Dorothy’, the City aims to drop a house on its wicked housing problem.
Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. Karratha leads the nation with an annual rise of 37.5 per cent in rent prices, reaching a median weekly rent of $1100, and less than 0.5% of the total housing stock available to rent.
A recent study conducted by the City found Karratha is expected to have a population growth of 30% and a shortfall of 1200 houses over the next five years.
The community has identified housing as their number one issue, and over the years the City has done what it can to address this, including building properties on lazy lands, and providing subsidised housing for service workers.
Council is seeking expressions of interest from developers and builders to partner with and deliver housing solutions across the City’s supply of undeveloped, development-ready, residential lands in the Karratha town centre.
In addition to City-owned lands, the City also invites expressions of interest from other landowners in relation to their undeveloped, development-ready residential lands
City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott said it was vital to increase housing supply in Karratha.
“Housing is the number one issue facing our community and we are doing everything we can within our control, however we need support,” Cr Scott said.
“We need health care workers, hairdressers, retail workers and educators to be able to afford to live in our City for it to be a sustainable and liveable community.
“This is an opportunity for developers to partner with a proactive council to deliver creative, large scale solutions to the lack of housing in our City.”
The City will facilitate a series of information sessions for potential proponents, including two virtual sessions on April 10 and May 1, in Karratha on April 11 and Perth on April 17.
To learn more about the EOI and/or register an interest to attend a briefing session please visit: www.tenderlink.com/karratha.