Office for Regional Housing

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Housing and Urban Development. Can the minister inform the house about the newly established Office for Regional Housing and contact with stakeholders?

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION (Taylor—Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Planning) (14:47): I thank the member for Giles for his question and for his advocacy for regional South Australia.

Last week the government announced that it was taking action to help resolve, help address, the housing crisis in regional South Australia, and we established the Office for Regional Housing based in Renewal SA.

We know that regions are the backbone of the state contributing billions to our economy every year, but we also know that the lack of housing is impeding economic growth in regions. We know that building costs are higher in regions. We know that skilled labour is more difficult to obtain and finance is also more difficult to obtain.

Last year I met with delegations from the South-East councils and the Spencer Gulf cities, and we spoke about the housing challenges those cities and other South Australian regions were facing. I subsequently requested that Renewal SA start having discussions with regional councils to ascertain the level of help and assistance they needed. It was evident through all those conversations that more support was needed and that the state government had a critical role to play.

Last year the government appointed Anne Maroney to the board of Renewal SA to help have some regional representation on that board. Ms Maroney is a former CEO of the Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains RDA and a resident of the Barossa Valley.

I can inform the house that, since the establishment of the Office for Regional Housing, we have already received over 40 inquiries to provide support and advice, and that there are a dozen projects the Office for Regional Housing is currently exploring.

The initial focus of the office will be providing housing to our key workers—police, teachers, doctors, ambos and nurses—through the new Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme. That pilot will deliver approximately 30 homes in regional South Australia and is expected to reduce pressure on the private rental market. The office will also work with local councils, regional businesses, builders and investors to facilitate other housing projects, and we will do that in conjunction with the federal government as well.

The government has also improved regulations associated with the construction of temporary buildings to be used by key workers on infrastructure projects and large industrial businesses. Under the previous government, there was no recognition of the housing problem in regional communities, no coordination within government. No direct funding was allocated.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Minister, there is a point of order, which I will hear from the member for Morialta under 134.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Standing order 98 says the minister may not debate in providing an answer.

The SPEAKER: I will keep the standing order closely in mind. The minister has joined us from the federal parliament, where there are slightly different rules.

The Hon. N.D. CHAMPION: There are slightly different rules, Speaker, and I will be sure to take your guidance. What I would say is over the last four years we have seen rental vacancy rates in regional South Australia drop to effectively zero, and this is the first government to take any action on it. I think we can be proud, and I think other people should be embarrassed by their record.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Giles!