Housing on the agenda at the 2022 Mid West Major Projects conference as experts discuss issues

The rise of short stay accommodation, land valuations and a worsening rental crisis were among the issues highlighted at the 2022 Mid West Major Projects conference on Tuesday.

Geraldton Property Team’s Mairi Quinn, DG Corporation CEO Nick Di Latte and Urbis Director Tim Connoley sat down for a panel discussion moderated by Gascoyne Development Commission CEO Tym Duncanson covering housing issues in the region.

Mr Di Latte outlined his company’s plans for a $50m mixed use residential, hotel, commercial, food and beverage development in Carnarvon, which is set to begin construction next year pending approval.

“I think the old adage, build it and they will come, is becoming more apparent and relevant to the current situation that we’re facing across the regions in particular the Mid West and Gascoyne.”

He highlighted issues with acquiring land in regional areas at the right price as the main issue holding further development back.

Mrs Quinn said she did not know how to solve the rental crisis but hoped developers could come up with a solution.

Geraldton Property Team’s rental properties have decreased by 24 per cent since 2019 and there are 62 rentals up for sale.

“Tenants are sometimes buying property they’re living in,” she said.

“In fact, it’s sad for tenants that are trying to find a rental and a lot of them might be on their second house on the market for sale. They’ve already been through this once, they’re going through it again.”

Mr Connoley said short term rentals play an important tourism role however they also have implications for the availability of permanent rentals in regional areas

“We’ve had 10 years of very limited investment in housing, and people haven’t been encouraged or incentivised to invest in the housing stock as well. So, again, in regional areas, it’s more challenging to have that diversity of appropriate housing stock,” he said.