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housing | September 05, 2024

Kealy calls for clarity on Horsham housing project

The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has called on the Labor government to confirm when a planned housing development in Stawell Road, Horsham will go ahead.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Kealy questioned the Minister for Housing about why – despite promises of shovels being in the ground by the end of 2021 – a planned 31-home project at the former Toy’s Restaurant site still had not progressed.

“Labor has failed to be upfront with the community about this project from the very start. Despite being labelled ‘shovel-ready’, it wasn’t until six months after development was due to start that the government actually acquired the land,” she said.

“We are now more than two years on from that, and still nothing has happened at the site, which is overgrown with grass and surrounded by security fencing.

“It is simply not good enough, and the minister must come clean about exactly when Labor will deliver on its promise to local residents who are in desperate need of housing.”

At the time the project was announced, there were 19,279 applicants on the government’s priority housing waiting list statewide.

The most recent data from March this year shows there were 33,255 applicants on the priority list, an increase of more than 70 per cent.

Priority applicants include the most vulnerable community members including those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or living with a disability or special housing need.

In the Horsham area alone, there are more than 230 people on the priority list for social housing.

“The Labor Government has had years to address the housing crisis in our communities but continues to fail vulnerable families both in Horsham and right across the state,” Ms Kealy said.

“Labor promised to deliver new social housing for Horsham, but that is now cold comfort for those who are still waiting for a roof over their head and safety for their family three years later.

“Labor cannot manage housing, and our communities are paying the price.”