ACTION 2 – PROPERTY REVIEW
This forms part of the Central Highlands Workforce Development and Accommodation Strategy.
CHDC to partner with major property portfolio holders (both public and private sector) to actively review housing stock and seek opportunities to release surplus supply, encourage redevelopment and/or commitment to new development.
Initial priority on available stock that could be used to house key workers such as childcare, education and health workers in Blackwater.
◼ TIMEFRAME: Review to commence 1 April 2024. Opportunities to support Blackwater to be identified by 30 May 2024.
PROGRESS REPORT
Major property owners (those with 40 or more properties) were identified across the region, and correspondence was issued encouraging active portfolio review. Check back soon for more details.
Meetings with these major portfolio holders have begun to discuss their current utilisation and explore potential opportunities for optimisation and development.
In March 2024, CHDC and Infinitum Partners met with the ministerial office to highlight the Workforce Development and Accommodation Strategy. During the meeting, Action 2, the Property Review, was discussed, focusing on understanding the demand and supply of Government Employee Housing (GEH) and Q-Build services in the Central Highlands.
In July 2024, CHDC held a productive meeting with Coronado Global Resources (Curragh) to explore ways their property portfolio could help address regional workforce housing needs.
CHDC also engaged Kestrel Coal to review its property portfolio as part of our ongoing efforts to collaborate with key regional stakeholders.
A meeting with CHRC on July 18, 2024, reached an agreement to advance Action 2 of the WDAS. CHRC will provide property asset data to CHDC and Infinitum Partners in digital mapping format. Transparency of property portfolio data will enable CHDC and Infinitum Partners to facilitate the review of council landholdings and the development of innovative solutions. CHDC and Infinitum Partners will provide a comprehensive report to the Council on September 18, 2024.
July 19th, Pete Wellington, from Government Employee Housing (GEH), visited CHDC to meet with the team while he was in region. During the visit, Pete provided updates on the Property Review, which CHDC has advocated for since March 2024, and shared how far along the review process was. He also gave updates on the Blackwater initiatives related to housing demand and supply in the region. Additionally, Pete visited the modular display home initiative, a collaborative project between CHDC, Kestrel Coal, and CHRC, to explore potential solutions for addressing housing needs in the region.
On 22 August, Bruce Campbell, Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning, and Public Works, supplied CHDC with the department’s property portfolio in the Central Highlands and the current demand across the region. CHDC will continue to monitor these developments and work closely with GEH to align housing availability with regional workforce needs.
In September 2024, CHDC and Infinitum Partners completed a detailed report outlining potential development and strategic uses for Council-owned properties to improve housing stock utilisation. The report focuses on creating a priority site framework and exploring redevelopment opportunities to enhance housing availability and address critical workforce accommodation needs. It was provided to CHRC in October as part of efforts to support the Council’s housing strategy.
