Agricultural accommodation: the burden on regional Australia

Regional Australia needs more long-term planning to house critical workers as metro dwellers move to more affordable regional housing.

Regional Australians grappling with a housing crisis have been dealt a blow by the federal government, following delay on a vote on a $10 billion social housing package this week.

It comes as a University of NSW report states regional and remote Australia needs better long-term solutions to housing investment and agricultural accommodation.

The report showed some regional Australian hubs have recorded increased migration off the back of the pandemic, while soaring inflation rates drove metro dwellers to seek affordable housing in the regions, increasing demand for affordable rental properties in an already squeezed market.

Ongoing accommodation issues in the regions has taken its toll on the agriculture sector, National Farmers’ Federation deputy president David Jochinke said, with necessity driving farmers to innovate ways to house workers, such as buying motels or building increasingly elaborate on-farm accommodation to address seasonal shortfalls.

“But there is still no targeted approach from governments to address the chronic housing shortage across regional Australia,” Mr Jochinke said.

National Farmers’ Federation deputy president David Jochinke said better planning was needed by government to remedy agricultural accommodation shortfalls. Picture: Supplied

He said government must view the issues hobbling agriculture holistically, and simultaneously seek to improve housing and transport, connectivity, education, recreational and health infrastructure.

“It is easier to build new houses in urban areas and get the headlines, but five new houses is a big deal for a small town,” Mr Jochinke said.

Regional Australia Institute chief economist Kim Houghton said affordable housing needed more foresight and planning, and underinvestment in housing had resulted in a lack of availability for agricultural workers seeking accommodation.

“It’s the mix showing up that’s not right. And on the rental side, it’s not been right in the regions for a long time,” Mr Houghton said.

The federal government’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund – which would build 30,000 social and affordable housing projects in the first five years – has been shelved until October, as the Greens and the Coalition delayed voting on the package.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said Labor had created rather than fixed problems by borrowing $10 billion and paying interest to fund its housing package, and increasing migrant programs that will “put even more pressure on the housing market”.

“It means adding supply, by building up and increasing density, rather than out,” Mr Littleproud said.