❓ Hon Wilson Tucker asks about vacant Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) properties in regional WA, focusing on vacancy duration, refurbishment plans, reasons for unallocation, and property condition in Kalgoorlie. The Minister provides data on vacancy lengths and reasons, highlighting ongoing assessments and planned investments.
AnsweredQoN 447Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I thank the Minister for the information he provided in response to a question I asked prior to Budget Estimate Hearings regarding vacant Government Regional Officer Housing properties in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest/Gascoyne and Goldfields region, and I ask: (a) of those properties vacant for more than three months, how long has each property been vacant for; (b) of those properties vacant for more than three months, how many have been identified for refurbishment or redevelopment; (c) of those properties vacant for more than three months that are unallocated to a client agency, please provide the department's reasoning/status for the property being vacant or unallocated; and (d) of those properties vacant for more than three months in Kalgoorlie, please provide the property condition reports?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 February 2022
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Housing; Local Government
Response time
6 days
a)
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. GROH properties vacant for more than three months, as at 21 September 2021:
Allocated to Client Agency
Region
Vacant
3-6 months
Vacant
6-12 months
Vacant
12+ months
Kimberley
13
13
4
Pilbara
6
11
4
Midwest-Gascoyne
9
6
4
Goldfields
6
10
15
TOTAL
34
40
27
Unallocated
Region
Vacant
3-6 months
Vacant
6-12 months
Vacant
12+ months
Kimberley
1
1
28
Pilbara
7
11
52
Midwest-Gascoyne
1
1
23
Goldfields
0
2
17
TOTAL
9
15
120
b - c)
Unallocated GROH properties may be vacant for a number of reasons, including public sector employees seeking private housing rather than GROH; aged stock; being poorly located in the district/town; the district/town being in decline due to economic factors, resulting in lower demand; and, awaiting refurbishment or earmarked for redevelopment.
The Department of Communities is currently assessing all vacant properties, including long-term vacant GROH properties with no demand from client agencies, with a view to bringing these properties back online as soon as possible. Where appropriate, GROH properties that no longer meet the requirements and demand of client agencies are being considered to be made available for clients on the public housing wait list.
Looking after Western Australia’s GROH stock is key to ensuring these properties stay in the system for longer. The McGowan Government is investing $12.8 million to conduct detailed building assessments on more than 10,000 ageing GROH and public housing assets. These assessments will be critical to ensuring these homes remain part of our state's social housing stock for many years to come.
d)
Of the properties vacant for more than three months, located in Kalgoorlie:
· One private lease has ended and the property has been returned to the private owner.
· One property no longer meets the requirements/demand for GROH and will be made available to a client on the public housing waiting list.
· One property is undergoing further assessment due to structural damage.
· Five properties are undergoing significant maintenance and will be occupied in the second half of 2022.
· Three properties were undergoing vacated maintenance following client agency employee turnover and will be occupied shortly.
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. GROH properties vacant for more than three months, as at 21 September 2021:
Allocated to Client Agency
Region
Vacant
3-6 months
Vacant
6-12 months
Vacant
12+ months
Kimberley
13
13
4
Pilbara
6
11
4
Midwest-Gascoyne
9
6
4
Goldfields
6
10
15
TOTAL
34
40
27
Unallocated
Region
Vacant
3-6 months
Vacant
6-12 months
Vacant
12+ months
Kimberley
1
1
28
Pilbara
7
11
52
Midwest-Gascoyne
1
1
23
Goldfields
0
2
17
TOTAL
9
15
120
b - c)
Unallocated GROH properties may be vacant for a number of reasons, including public sector employees seeking private housing rather than GROH; aged stock; being poorly located in the district/town; the district/town being in decline due to economic factors, resulting in lower demand; and, awaiting refurbishment or earmarked for redevelopment.
The Department of Communities is currently assessing all vacant properties, including long-term vacant GROH properties with no demand from client agencies, with a view to bringing these properties back online as soon as possible. Where appropriate, GROH properties that no longer meet the requirements and demand of client agencies are being considered to be made available for clients on the public housing wait list.
Looking after Western Australia’s GROH stock is key to ensuring these properties stay in the system for longer. The McGowan Government is investing $12.8 million to conduct detailed building assessments on more than 10,000 ageing GROH and public housing assets. These assessments will be critical to ensuring these homes remain part of our state's social housing stock for many years to come.
d)
Of the properties vacant for more than three months, located in Kalgoorlie:
· One private lease has ended and the property has been returned to the private owner.
· One property no longer meets the requirements/demand for GROH and will be made available to a client on the public housing waiting list.
· One property is undergoing further assessment due to structural damage.
· Five properties are undergoing significant maintenance and will be occupied in the second half of 2022.
· Three properties were undergoing vacated maintenance following client agency employee turnover and will be occupied shortly.
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