WA Nationals in support of Geraldton council push to create more workers’ accommodation in Mahomets Flats

As Geraldton’s house prices continue to climb amid a cost-of-living crisis, the WA Nationals have backed the local council’s move to build workers’ accommodation. The Nationals have vowed to help fund the earthworks on a large project in Mahomets Flats should they form government at the March 2025 election. The city of Greater Geraldton is looking into unlocking 8.8ha of unused land and turning it into houses, likely for key workers. According to the Nationals, 150 units could be created to house about 300 key workers. This is separate from the Olive Street workers’ accommodation project, where seven houses would be built for key public servants. The Real Estate Institute of WA’s latest data showed house prices had increased in Geraldton by 4.6 per cent to a median of $429,000 in the September quarter, second only to Bunbury in the regions. Over 12 months, house prices in Geraldton have jumped by 13.6 per cent. Meanwhile rents had risen by 6.7 per cent in the 12 months to September, reaching a median of $480 a week. However, according to REIWA, rents in Geraldton in the September quarter dropped by 4 per cent. Geraldton Nationals candidate Kirrilee Warr said a project like the one in Mahomets Flats was much-needed. “Geraldton is crying out for more housing for skilled workers, and the Mahomet Flats accommodation village is exactly the type of project that deserves support,” Ms Warr said. “With the new hospital expected to be (in) operation by 2027, the demand for quality housing will only grow. “Allied health staff, police, teachers, and other skilled workers need accessible, high-quality housing if they’re to make Geraldton their home and help our community thrive.” Neither the city nor the Nationals were able to provide an estimate of what the earthworks on a project of this scale would cost, or how much the Nationals would be willing to commit to. The Nationals said it would be a discussion for later, should they form Government. Mayor Jerry Clune indicated the number would be high. “You don’t know what’s there, then you’ve got to put all your earthworks, your telecommunications, your waterworks, your sewage works, and your roadworks,” he said. “There’s all sorts of contingency come into place when you do start putting a backhoe in here and an excavator and start digging up. “That’s in where the problems lie.” Mr Clune said developers were hesitant because of the risks of headworks, and he was appreciative of the Nationals’ willingness to come on board and assist. The funds would come under the party’s Regional Headworks Fund, which aims to unlock land across regional WA by providing a $1 billion investment over 10 years. Opposition and Nationals WA leader Shane Love said it would be about spreading the funds fairly across the regions. “What we’ve seen in the current government is that there is no linkage between the decision-makers in Perth and the needs on the ground in regional WA,” he said. “So we’d be seeking about getting understanding of what are the priorities across the State, but be fair to all regions and make sure that everybody is able to access some of this money.”