Frontline workers in seven cities across Western Australia to benefit from huge housing boost in state budget

Frontline workers in Western Australia will benefit from a major housing boost, funded by hundreds of millions in government and mining investment.

Premier Roger Cook has revealed plans to deliver hundreds of homes for teachers, nurses and police in seven regional cities across Western Australia.

Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Headland, Broome, Geraldton and Albany were identified by the Government as critical cities for local manufacturing and to make Western Australia a “renewable energy powerhouse”.

The seven cities vision will direct government funding into those areas to support infrastructure and job-creating projects, alongside targeted investment in housing, health and essential services to strengthen each centre as a regional hub.

Next week’s State Budget will include $419m to buy or lease government worker housing as part of a $692m investment in regional housing initiatives.

The State Government will prioritise 305 homes for frontline workers in the Pilbara towns of Karratha and Port Headland with a contribution of $170m from mining companies Rio Tinto, Hancock Prospecting and BHP.

Rio Tinto’s $100m contribution will also provide additional housing in the mining towns of Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Roebourne.

It is part of a program that will deliver 500 homes to seven cities across the state to meet Government Regional Officer Housing demand by 2030.

Premier Roger Cook said regional cities like Karratha and Port Hedland have been central to Western Australia becoming the strongest economy in the nation and will be critical to the state’s future economic success.

“While traditional industries like mining will continue to thrive, Karratha and Port Hedland will be front and centre to my government’s vision and becoming a renewable energy powerhouse and making more things there,” he said.

“To seize the big job-creating projects in front of us in Karratha and Port Hedland, we need to continue to invest in economic infrastructure and expand their roles as hubs providing quality services to the towns and remote communities within the Pilbara.

“My Seven Cities vision starts with housing and ensuring Karratha and Port Hedland have the frontline workers needed to deliver quality public services.”

Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the Pilbara is the engine room of Western Australia’s economy, and this investment recognises that housing is essential to supporting continued growth in the region.

“This will boost housing supply for key government workers in Karratha and Port Hedland, while also alleviating pressure on those communities’ private housing markets,” he said.

WA Nationals Leader Shane Love said the investment was a decade late after the Government failed to provide a long-term plan for regional development across the state.

“Today’s announcement is the result of years of underinvestment and a lack of forward planning, and now the Government is playing catch-up,” he said.

“Regional development is not just about building houses,” he said.

“It’s about water security, reliable power, transport corridors, and the infrastructure that makes towns liveable, connected and able to grow.”

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Officer Matthew Holcz said Rio Tinto has a long and deep connection to regional WA, supporting six Pilbara towns and other regional centres through its Fly-In-Fly-Out program.

“Being a good partner to those communities means investing in the things that make them work; the teachers, police, and frontline workers who keep them safe and thriving,” he said.

“And for those people to be there, the right housing needs to be in place.”

BHP Western Australian Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day said strong Pilbara communities started with people having access to safe, affordable housing.

“When people can find a place to live, they’re far more likely to build a life here, stay longer, and contribute to the region’s long-term success,” he said.

“BHP’s investment will help deliver the housing the Pilbara needs to attract and retain essential workers and ensure our towns continue to be great places to live and work.”

Hancock Prospecting Chief Executive Officer Group Projects Sanjiv Manchanda said they were pleased to partner with the Government and invest in quality housing for essential workers.

“This investment will help strengthen the towns that keep our state running and ensure those who provide such vital services, like our police, have a place to call home,” he said.

“When mining and the resources sector does well, the whole of Australia does well and the RCII is a perfect example of what can be achieved with government and industry working together.”