- Twenty-five developments receive funding support from Infrastructure Development Fund
- $17.4 million for critical infill housing developments and regional workers' accommodation
- More apartment projects, all train stations, and regional community housing projects now eligible for funding
The Cook Government has committed a further $17.4 million to unlock a pipeline of new apartment developments in key urban precincts and worker accommodation in regional areas through the Infrastructure Development Fund.
The $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund provides funding assistance to address upfront costs associated with connecting essential water, electricity, and sewerage infrastructure, which have constrained development and impacted the viability of housing projects.
Twenty-two projects in Perth's metropolitan area will share up to $11.57 million via the Fund's Targeted Apartment Rebate stream, to support construction of more than 1,150 apartments in suburbs all over Perth including Midland, Fremantle, Subiaco and Innaloo.
Key worker accommodation projects in Murchison and South Hedland have received a boost with $5.6 million in funding from the Unlocking Regional Worker Accommodation Opportunities stream.
The Shire of Murchison will receive nearly $1.1 million to improve the reliability of water and electricity supplies and support the development of five new key worker dwellings.
Funding of $4.5 million will enable the development by the Town of Port Hedland of 76 key worker dwellings in South Hedland, improving housing choice and providing much needed accommodation for workers to support businesses and services in the town centre.
Funding of up to $243,000 will be granted as part of the Unlocking Infill Precincts stream for a water main upgrade in Nedlands, which includes a three-storey infill development.
In response to feedback from industry and stakeholders, the Cook Government has expanded the list of eligible locations for the Targeted Apartment Rebate to include those within one kilometre of all train stations, strategic, secondary and district activity centres, and the Bunbury CBD.
Community housing projects in regional locations are also now eligible to apply for funding through the Regional Accommodation Opportunities stream to assist with the cost of water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure.
For more information on the Infrastructure Development Fund and the latest recipients, visit wa.gov.au/Infrastructure-Development-Fund
Applications for the Fund remain open until 6 September 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
Comments attributed to Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"The State Government's $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund is providing much needed relief for the construction industry by removing barriers to support the delivery of new housing, particularly in regional Western Australia.
"Regional tourism relies on local workers and accommodation is essential to retaining a local workforce, particularly during peak tourist season.
"We are reducing the significant upfront infrastructure costs by committing more than $5.6 million to progress key worker accommodation projects in the regions.
"It is also great to see a pipeline of housing given a $11.57 million boost from the Fund to support the delivery of up to 1,157 apartments across Perth's metro areas."
As stated by Planning Minister John Carey:
"The $80 million Infrastructure Development Fund is a key part of our Government's efforts to assist industry with significant up-front costs involved in establishing essential infrastructure for critical housing developments.
"We know that up-front costs have played a significant role in delaying major infill apartment projects in Perth and following engagement with industry, we have expanded the criteria to support more infill apartment projects in strategic Perth metropolitan suburbs.
"Since the establishment of the Infrastructure Development Fund, 49 apartment projects have been supported by our Government with up to $33.46 million, helping industry to deliver 3,346 new apartments.
"The Cook Government is continuing to work with service providers, local governments and industry to unlock development potential and create a future pipeline of medium to high density infill developments.
"I also encourage community housing providers in regional areas to apply for funding through the Regional Accommodation Opportunities stream."
