Demographer Simon Kuestenmacher backs Country Liberal Party’s housing plan

A demographer who last year called for innovative housing measures has backed the CLP’s election plan. See why he liked it.

A prominent population expert who last year called for “innovative” and “quirky” approaches to solving the NT’s housing problem has welcomed the CLP’s measures to boost the Territory’s home ownership and population.

Demographer Simon Kuestenmacher backed the HomeGrown Territory Grant where first home builders also buying their first home would receive a $50,000 grant with no build price cap. Anybody in Australia who builds a new home to live in the Territory will receive a $30,000 grant, again with no build price cap.

Mr Kuestenmacher said the idea was “exciting” and tapped into the large millennial cohort that is now mostly employed and many are having children.

“I like it,” he said.

“Giving sugar hits to potential new residents is a very smart idea because nobody’s doing it in Australia. Nobody in this financial sense is proactively competing for residents. That would set the city apart.

Simon Kuestenmacher from the Demographics group. Picture Glenn Hampson

“This isn’t the worst of times to be doing this to the biggest generation, Millennials, who are making babies and will move from apartments into three or four bedroom homes.

“This could be the chance for them to do a lifestyle change. If everything is in transition anyway, why not (move to the Territory) now? Sitting at the kitchen table people could be saying ‘This isn’t too bad’.

He said anticipated growth through Defence spending and resource development would grow the NT’s population.

At last year’s Future NT conference at Mindil Beach Casino, Mr Kuestenmacher said state and territory governments would be central to solving housing challenges.

He said the northern half of Australia was “outrageously underpopulated” and to address this – and a worldwide skills shortage – Darwin should present itself as the most “affordable” city in Australia.

Housing Industry Association executive director Luis Espinoza. Picture Julianne Osborne

“The most important lever that you can pull is housing affordability,” he said.

“Government can make more land available through rezoning and being innovative in its approach … coming up with interesting, quirky new ways of housing people.”

Housing Industry Association executive director Luis Espinoza said the plan was welcome.

“These home building incentives are welcome measures that will bring more people into home ownership as well as increase the Territory’s housing supply,” he said.

“These much needed incentives will be crucial to both individual households as well as growing the Northern Territory’s population and economy.

“Housing is intrinsically tied to population and economic growth and vice-versa. Kickstarting the Northern Territory’s economy will require attracting more people and supplying adequate housing.

“In the lead up to the NT election this year HIA will be calling on an incoming government to have a key agenda that supports the delivery of new housing and renovations and maintaining and growing a skilled workforce for the Territory.”