The State Government today outlined developments that will add 200 housing units in Broome over the next 12 months.
Affordable Workers Accommodation Project.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan will today sign off on a project which will house up to 100 small business employees through not-for-profit group Foundation Housing.
In Broome today to launch the project, Ms MacTiernan said the Kerr Street development provided a mix of single and shared accommodation units on a one-hectare site close to the town centre.
“Local business operators in Broome have had great difficulty attracting and retaining staff because of the price and availability of rental accommodation,” she said.
“I proposed this project to a meeting of small business operators in December and there was overwhelming support.
“Under this project, we will be offering reasonably priced rental housing for 50-100 low to middle income earners.”
The project consists of a total of 24 dwellings, including fifteen one bedroom units and nine four bedroom multi occupancy units.
Not-for-profit group Foundation Housing will manage the project, taking up a 55 year lease for the site at a nominal rental. Rental returns will be put back into the management of the site.
The Minister said she would identify other regional sites to implement the program.
“The concept of converting underutilised reserve land close to regional town centres - which enables a fast release to the market - can apply to other regional towns, particularly North-West towns in a similar rental predicament because of the resources boom,” she said.
The development on Kerr Street is bordered by Tang Street to the west, Stracke Cove to the south and Matsumoto Street to the east.
Dependant on the severity of the impending wet season, and how it impacts construction, Foundation Housing expect to have people move in around June 2009.
All local businesses and employees interested in the housing, will be able to enter a ballot for the release of the rentals, with further details to be advertised in Broome media.
More than 150 new home sites coming for Broome.
Three new land development opportunities have been announced for Broome, releasing more than 150 new homes in the next two months at the State Government’s Januburu Six Seasons estate.
Ms MacTiernan today announced a ballot for Stage Four of the Januburu Six Seasons estate would take place on Saturday, August 30.
Stage Four of Januburu will produce 82 lots, being 73 single residential lots and 9 multiple dwelling sites. The ballot will offer 67 lots, 58 from Stage Four and nine that became available from earlier stages.
Nine single lots and two group housing sites would be allocated to social housing and government staff accommodation.
Local residents and people working in the town who had not previously bought in the estate, would be given first preference in the ballot.
The Minister said the State Government, through LandCorp, had redesigned Stage Four to increase the total yield to 154 dwellings but at the same time retain more vegetation and open space.
“Demand for reasonably priced housing in Broome continues to be a key issue and we are working hard to address this by offering a range of smaller block sizes and medium density sites,” she said.
When fully developed, Januburu Six Seasons would deliver 266 single residential lots and 20 group housing sites, providing land for more than 380 new homes.
Ballots for the single residential lots must be submitted by 4pm on Tuesday, August 26. Successful purchasers will be announced at the draw conducted by the Western Australian Electoral Commission at 11am on Saturday, August 30 at the Mercure Inn Continental in Broome.
Three group housing sites which were advertised earlier in the year have also recently been sold.
“Several sites were identified as suitable for the development of group housing, including two storey townhouses and units, and following a call for design tenders, I am pleased to announce three of the successful proponents,” Ms MacTiernan said.
The design tender process enables submissions to be selected on design criteria such as building form, energy efficiency and treatment of shared areas.
The three companies are Kimberley Regional Service Providers Pty Ltd(KRSP), Jenada Nominees Pty Ltd (designed by Oldfield Knott Architects), and a consortium of small companies whose designs were prepared by Laurence Scanlan architects.
“It’s obvious that the builders and their architects have put a great deal of thought and effort into creating fantastic looking buildings with high standards of energy and water efficiency,” she said.
The units will contain environmentally sensitive features such as photovoltaic cells, solar hot water systems, grey water recycling and reuse, as well as native landscaping.
“These developments will provide a greater variety of housing product in the Broome market, and demonstrate that medium density housing can offer a great alternative,” the Minister said.
Works on the group housing site are expected to begin within months.
A further eight group housing sites for up to 43 homes will also be available shortly by private treaty.
Similar to the sale of previous group housing sites within Januburu Six Seasons, a design assessment will seek developers who embrace climate sensitive design principles and best practice initiatives to achieve energy, water and resource conservation.
For more information on the single residential or group housing sites or to register for a ballot pack, contact Tony Hutchinson from Hutchinson Real Estate on 9192 1677 or visit http://www.broome.landcorp.com.au
Minister's office - 9213 6400 
