AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO AUSTRALIA ’ S REGIONAL HOUSING CHALLENGE
THE RESIDENTIAL PARK MODEL
Sasha Lennon and Rodger Gibbins
Data published by policy think-tanks including the Regional Australia Institute and the Centre for Population , shows that Australia is experiencing an unprecedented net shift in migration from the cities to the regions . While offering obvious opportunities for economic development , this trend is serving to accentuate a particular problem that has long existed , that being regional Australia ’ s housing challenge .
In our experience preparing economic development strategies throughout rural , regional and remote Australia , where we ’ ve engaged with diverse communities , all with unique attributes , needs , challenges , aspirations and sensibilities , community consultations invariably highlight the critical issue of the availability and affordability of suitable housing .
It is well documented ( AHURI , May 2022 and Rural Councils Victoria , December 2021 ) that housing shortages are a major factor in the inability of our regions to attract the workers that are needed to run and expand the economy . These workers are required across all sectors at all skill levels – to bring in the harvest as well as to provide professional services to the population .
The current housing situation limits our regions ’ capacity to attract households , and this suppresses potential investment in business establishment and expansion due to labour and professional services shortages . Taken together , these factors can create a downward spiral in the fortunes of a town or region as the population , which has the potential to grow , instead declines , with services becoming unviable to the point where they are inevitably withdrawn .
THE OPERATION OF HOUSING MARKETS IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA New home building in regional Australia has not kept pace with population growth over the long term and as a result , a regional housing shortage has been accumulating over several years ( Regional Australia Institute , December 2021 ). The crux of the problem is the supply side of the housing market , where the diversity of housing needs is not catered for . Housing supply tends to be restricted to a trickle of large , detached houses on fully serviced blocks . Regulations specify that new subdivisions must have sealed roads , kerb and channel , sewer and all services . Lots are in some instances required to be large and often minimum housing standards are specified .
VOL 15 NO 2 2022 28 www . edaustralia . com . au