Unlocking Pilbara housing possibilities a “clear priority” for Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas after tour

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has taken aim at the State Government during a regional tour to the Pilbara, declaring housing is “clearly not something they’re doing well”.

Mr Zempilas wrapped up the tour on Friday June 6 in Exmouth, after stopping in at Port Hedland and Karratha to meet with local businesses and industry.

“Housing is obviously something the State Government are not succeeding at now,” he said.

“One of the important reasons to travel to the regions and come out to experience the issues for local people first-hand is to get a sense of what the government are doing well and what they’re not doing well, and housing is clearly something they’re not doing well throughout Western Australia.”

The Opposition Leader also cited Premier Roger Cook’s announcement to build 100 homes for Perdaman workers in Karratha, saying it’s “barely going to touch the sides, and is only for workers”.

“To be able to grow the City of Karratha, for example, then we’re going to need to be able to grow the population of the city, but you can’t grow the population if there’s nowhere for people to live,” he said.

“Housing is a huge priority for the entire Pilbara region, so finding ways to unlock the potential of the Pilbara by unlocking possibilities with housing seems to be a very clear priority, and it’s certainly one for us to take back and give strong consideration to.”

Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the State Government made significant commitments to boost regional housing, noting Government Regional Officer Housing, funding regional headworks through the Infrastructure Development Fund and delivering a Regional Housing Support fund to further support key worker construction.

“In coming years, we’ll see even more economic growth in the Pilbara,” he said.

“This will include further expansion into clean energy, critical minerals, tourism and advanced manufacturing.

“These growth industries will require more local workforces and more housing.

“The Opposition remains devoid of any policies for regional WA, including housing in the Pilbara.

“In fact, the Opposition regularly campaign against residential development and have promised to increase planning system red tape.”

Mr Zempilas said key issues such as healthcare in the Pilbara were also linked to housing.

“You can’t get professionals up here if they don’t have anywhere to live,” he said.

“It’s very clear, that this has been, or still is, the most expensive city in Australia to live.

“Weekly rents are in the vicinity of $1200-$1300 per week, that’s not affordable in many places.

“I appreciate there’s a complexity to life in Karratha, there seems to be two speeds to the economy — those that are working in the resources industry and doing very well and able to manage or justify that sort of rental expense, but there are clearly many who are on the minimum wage, or even below the minimum wage, and that affordability is not in their realm.”