Published on Thursday, 6 August 2026 at 1:48:53 PM
MEDIA RELEASE
4WDL Secures $4.5 million for Regional Key Worker Housing
4WDL has secured $4,508,965 through the State Government’s Regional Housing Support Fund to support the delivery of 20 new homes across six local government areas in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern.
4WDL is a Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils comprising the Shires of Wagin, West Arthur, Williams, Woodanilling, Dumbleyung and Lake Grace.
The successful joint application was submitted through the Cook Labor Government’s $75 million Regional Housing Support Fund. Together with local government and other project contributions, the funding will support a regional housing program valued at approximately $13.5 million.
The project builds on several years of coordinated regional planning, including detailed housing analysis, local housing strategies and a comprehensive business case that identified a significant and growing shortage of suitable housing.
The analysis found that the region will require between 158 and 254 additional key worker homes over the next decade.
The 20 new dwellings will help address this shortage and improve the ability of local communities to attract and retain essential workers.
The funding will also help overcome a key market failure affecting regional housing delivery, where the cost of constructing new homes often significantly exceeds their completed market value.
The project will use modular construction and a coordinated regional delivery model to reduce build times and improve delivery efficiency. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2028.
4WDL Chair Cr Karen Harrington welcomed the State Government’s announcement.
“Our local governments have done the groundwork. We have planned, prepared land and are ready to deliver,” Cr Harrington said.
“I am pleased the State Government has recognised the significant preparation undertaken across the region and is supporting us to make a meaningful improvement to housing availability.
“This investment will help strengthen essential services, attract and retain key workers, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of our communities.”
4WDL has played a leading role in researching, demonstrating and advocating for increased key worker housing across regional Western Australia, including highlighting the market challenges that can prevent new housing from being delivered.
Further information about the Regional Housing Support Fund and successful applicants is available on the Western Australian Government website: Regional Housing Support Fund awards grants to support the delivery of more than 900 homes.
ENDS
Media contact
Cr Karen Harrington
Chair, 4WDL
Cr.Harrington@westarthur.wa.gov.au
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