❓ Provides updated figures on Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) vacancies across several WA regions, detailing allocated and unallocated properties and vacancy durations. Highlights complexities in vacancy reporting due to agency management and ongoing property maintenance.
AnsweredQoN 1720Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to my question on notice 447 dated 15 February 2022 regarding Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) vacancies, and I ask: (a) can the Minister please provide updated figures for allocated and unallocated GROH property stock in the following regions: (i) Kimberley; (ii) Pilbara; (iii) Midwest/Gascoyne; and (iv) Goldfields; (b) can the Minister please provide the number of vacant properties per region; and (c) can the Minister please provide the length of time each property has been vacant for, categorised by 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12+ months?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 November 2023
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Planning; Lands; Housing; Homelessness
Response time
8 days
(a) (i-iv)
The table below provides a breakdown of allocated and unallocated GROH properties as at 30 September 2023. The below are point-in-time figures and it must be noted that properties are constantly moving in and out of the portfolio.
Total Allocated and Unallocated properties by Region as at 30 September 2023
Region
Allocated to a client agency
Unallocated (ie Not allocated to a client agency)
Goldfields
783
21
Midwest/Gascoyne
556
31
Pilbara
1340
70
West Kimberley
795
32
East Kimberley
402
18
(b-c)
The utilisation of GROH properties allocated to client agencies is determined by the agency, including who will tenant the property and when they will start their tenancy. Communities facilitates this by undertaking incoming property inspections and working with tenants as required by the client agency.
As at 30 September 2023, 97% of the State Government’s GROH properties are currently occupied or allocated to a client agency for their use. The remaining three percent of properties may be undergoing maintenance or refurbishment or being considered for redevelopment potential based on factors such as age, location and land size.
Over an average 12-month period, up to one third of all GROH portfolio tenancies may turnover due to normal rotation of staff in regional locations, agencies rotating staff on fixed tenure arrangements, and staff leave, for example maternity leave for regional teachers or police. When the properties are vacated they undergo varying degrees of maintenance or refurbishment works before the next tenant moves into the property.
Communities routinely assesses its housing stock, including vacant GROH properties. The number of unallocated properties i.e. those that are not allocated to a client agency does not necessarily equate to the number of vacant properties as GROH properties may be privately leased to non- government organisations, not for profits or members of the public to ensure utilisation. Where appropriate, GROH properties that no longer have client agency demand are considered for use as public housing.
The table below provides a breakdown of vacant GROH properties. Allocated GROH properties may be vacant at a point in time for a number of operational reasons, including the recruitment and deployment of new employees and the need for availability for employees providing relief work. Unallocated vacant properties may be new to the portfolio, undergoing major works or being considered for future use.
Total GROH Stock as at 30 September 2023
Goldfields
Midwest/
Gascoyne
Pilbara
West Kimberley
East Kimberley
Total GROH Stock
804
587
1,410
827
420
Allocated to a Client Agency as at 30 September 2023
Time Vacant
Goldfields
Midwest / Gascoyne
Pilbara
West Kimberley
East Kimberley
0 - 3 months
29
29
69
49
30
3 - 6 months
8
13
25
10
7
6 - 12 months
16
18
15
6
10
12+ months
22
9
11
6
4
Unallocated to a Client Agency as at 30 September 2023
Time Vacant
Goldfields
Midwest / Gascoyne
Pilbara
West Kimberley
East Kimberley
0 - 3 months
3
1
13
3
-
3 - 6 months
-
2
1
-
1
6 - 12 months
2
-
4
1
5
12+ months
10
7
25
8
7
The table below provides a breakdown of allocated and unallocated GROH properties as at 30 September 2023. The below are point-in-time figures and it must be noted that properties are constantly moving in and out of the portfolio.
Total Allocated and Unallocated properties by Region as at 30 September 2023
Region
Allocated to a client agency
Unallocated (ie Not allocated to a client agency)
Goldfields
783
21
Midwest/Gascoyne
556
31
Pilbara
1340
70
West Kimberley
795
32
East Kimberley
402
18
(b-c)
The utilisation of GROH properties allocated to client agencies is determined by the agency, including who will tenant the property and when they will start their tenancy. Communities facilitates this by undertaking incoming property inspections and working with tenants as required by the client agency.
As at 30 September 2023, 97% of the State Government’s GROH properties are currently occupied or allocated to a client agency for their use. The remaining three percent of properties may be undergoing maintenance or refurbishment or being considered for redevelopment potential based on factors such as age, location and land size.
Over an average 12-month period, up to one third of all GROH portfolio tenancies may turnover due to normal rotation of staff in regional locations, agencies rotating staff on fixed tenure arrangements, and staff leave, for example maternity leave for regional teachers or police. When the properties are vacated they undergo varying degrees of maintenance or refurbishment works before the next tenant moves into the property.
Communities routinely assesses its housing stock, including vacant GROH properties. The number of unallocated properties i.e. those that are not allocated to a client agency does not necessarily equate to the number of vacant properties as GROH properties may be privately leased to non- government organisations, not for profits or members of the public to ensure utilisation. Where appropriate, GROH properties that no longer have client agency demand are considered for use as public housing.
The table below provides a breakdown of vacant GROH properties. Allocated GROH properties may be vacant at a point in time for a number of operational reasons, including the recruitment and deployment of new employees and the need for availability for employees providing relief work. Unallocated vacant properties may be new to the portfolio, undergoing major works or being considered for future use.
Total GROH Stock as at 30 September 2023
Goldfields
Midwest/
Gascoyne
Pilbara
West Kimberley
East Kimberley
Total GROH Stock
804
587
1,410
827
420
Allocated to a Client Agency as at 30 September 2023
Time Vacant
Goldfields
Midwest / Gascoyne
Pilbara
West Kimberley
East Kimberley
0 - 3 months
29
29
69
49
30
3 - 6 months
8
13
25
10
7
6 - 12 months
16
18
15
6
10
12+ months
22
9
11
6
4
Unallocated to a Client Agency as at 30 September 2023
Time Vacant
Goldfields
Midwest / Gascoyne
Pilbara
West Kimberley
East Kimberley
0 - 3 months
3
1
13
3
-
3 - 6 months
-
2
1
-
1
6 - 12 months
2
-
4
1
5
12+ months
10
7
25
8
7
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