Source : Direct Portable Buildings
Rent at $ 396 per week for a good quality 3-bedroom home is affordable for many households . Applying the same approach to a 2-bedroom home , the rent is $ 275 per week and for a 4-bedroom home it is $ 475 per week .
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION It widely recognised that housing availability and affordability issues adversely affect regional Australia by reducing the ability of regions to attract workers and investment , with unfavourable consequences for the regional economy and community . Housing markets fail to produce the dwellings that are required to meet the diversity of demand .
While there is a desire to address these issues at all levels of government , current proposals tend to act at the margin and are unlikely to bring about real change . It is time to think outside the box . The separate title model of housing supply with its ‘ gold plated ’ infrastructure requirements is not working . It is time to look at alternative approaches .
A potential solution lies in the ‘ residential park ’ model , which is a tried and tested approach that can be expanded and adapted to most regional settings . There is a prima facie case that such a model can produce good quality housing at affordable prices , and rents and can generate good returns for landowners and developers . Importantly , local Councils can be proactive by identifying existing Councilowned land or purchasing land for the purpose of providing residential parks to help address the regional housing crisis .
A potential solution lies in the ‘ residential park ’ model , which is a tried and tested approach that can be expanded and adapted to most regional settings . There is a prima facie case that such a model can produce good quality housing at affordable prices , and rents and can generate good returns for landowners and developers .
It is recommended that governments investigate the application of the residential park model to regional settings and produce an appropriate regulatory response accompanied by initiatives to promote the concept and to facilitate implementation in regional communities . The future of regional Australia relies on the pursuit of innovative approaches like this in order to help solve our national housing challenge .
REFERENCES
AHURI ( May 2022 ), Understanding the Lived Experience and Benefits of Regional Cities
Commonwealth of Australia , Centre for Population ( 2020 ), Migration Between Cities and Regions – A quick guide to COVID-19 impacts
Government of Western Australia ( 2018 ), Osprey Village Report
Queensland Parliamentary Library ( 2012 ), The Future For Manufactured Homes in Residential Parks in Queensland
Regional Australia Institute ( May 2022 ), Foundations of Regional Housing
Regional Australia Institute ( December 2021 ), Meeting the Demand for Regional Housing
Regional Australia Institute ( 28 October 2021 ), Regional Movers Index
Rural Councils Victoria ( December 2021 ), Rural Housing Victoria Blueprint
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
SASHA LENNON Sasha Lennon ( B . Ec ., Grad . Dip . Advanced Economics , M . Journalism , ACEcD ) is a Brisbane-based consultant specialising in the preparation of regional economic development and tourism strategies . He is the
RODGER GIBBINS Rodger Gibbins ( Grad . Dip . Economics , M . Urban Planning , Dip . Applied Science ( Town Planning )) is a Melbourne-based consultant specialising in economic impact assessment and business case preparation . He is an Associate with SC Lennon & Associates .
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