The State Government has delivered four brand new homes for teachers, paramedics and hospital workers in Mount Gambier.
The four single-storey, two and three-bedroom homes in Mount Gambier were handed over on Tuesday, two months ahead of schedule and just in time for Christmas.
Construction on the new properties began in February, with third-generation family-owned South East company, Empak building the homes in just 10 months.
Empak is also delivering another two, four-bedroom homes for essential government workers at an additional site in Mount Gambier.
These two homes are expected to be complete by mid-2025 and will house SA police officers.
These six homes in the South East are part of the State Government’s Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme which aims to boost investment in rental housing for critical workers in regional areas.
In October, the first four homes under the Scheme were completed in Port Augusta for police and health workers.
The pilot program is delivering 30 houses for key government workers across the Copper Coast, Riverland, Mount Gambier, Port Augusta and Ceduna.
It’s expected all 30 houses under the pilot program will be complete by September 2025, with additional projects set to be announced in the coming months following a $20m boost to the scheme announced in the 2024-2025 State Budget.
Minister for Regional Development Clare Scriven welcomed the handing over of the homes.
“It’s an excellent result for the Mount Gambier community these four new homes have been built in just 10 months and are ready to house workers before Christmas,” she said.
“This government implemented the Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme to ensure there is safe and affordable housing for essential workers, who are crucial to any regional community.
“We are building houses for teachers, police officers and healthcare workers to help attract and retain these professions in SA’s regions.”
Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM said the homes were much needed in the Blue Lake city.
“Affordable housing and housing availability for rent or purchase, is a major challenge in Mount Gambier and council welcomes the development of these new dwellings for essential workers in our city,” she said.
“This is a step in the right direction to find ways to house key workers who provide essential services to our community and ensure the future economic growth of our city.
“We recognise the importance of working in partnership with all tiers of government, business, and service providers to address this issue.”
