Workers accommodation—Esperance
670. Hon Tim Clifford to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Housing and Works:
I refer to an article released by the ABC yesterday, titled "Esperance shire seeks support for 'shovel-ready' housing project to fix tight rental market". In the article, the minister could not confirm whether the government would consider financially supporting Esperance's workers accommodation project, but said it would continue to collaborate with the shire to find suitable funding sources.
(1) What funding sources might be suitable?
(2) Does the minister intend to follow up on this issue?
Hon Dr Katrina Stratton replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question, and I provide the following on behalf of the Minister for Housing and Works.
(1)–(2) There are a number of funding sources across state and federal governments that have been available to the Shire of Esperance, including, but not limited to, the Infrastructure Development Fund, government officer housing leasing and the forthcoming regional housing support fund. The Shire of Esperance was made aware of the opportunity to lodge an application through the $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund for its worker accommodation project through the unlocking regional worker accommodation opportunities stream. The shire did not submit an application to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
