19 new lots in Oyster Harbour released by WA state government to address housing crisis

Almost 20 parcels of land have been released in Oyster Harbour in efforts to bolster Albany’s housing stock in an announcement from WA Housing Minister John Carey. Mr Carey announced the release of 19 residential lots in Bayonet Head on Wednesday, priced from $210,000 and aimed as first homes for young families. The release of the lots in Albany brings the total land released by the government in WA this year to 55. Two lots will be designated for social housing to help alleviate the housing crisis in the Great Southern. The released lots in Oyster Harbour range from 576sqm to 754sqm and follow 36 lots released at Clydesdale Park in McKail in June. Housing minister John Carey said there was “not one single silver bullet” to address housing and rental pressures. “Every additional home, whether it’s social, affordable, or any other housing, is creating relief in both the housing and rental market in Albany,” he said. “We shouldn’t underestimate how important projects like this are, which is getting new lots out to facilitate new affordable homes in Albany.” Mr Carey said the Government was working as quickly as possible to alleviate WA’s current housing crisis. “As the Government we are working as hard and as quickly to get land out the door,” he said. “But there are still processes in place — subdivisions, titles. “We’ve been speeding up those processes but I would say, given that we’ve already allocated 55 lots this year, that we are making process.” Addressing regional WA’s median rent price growth, Mr Carey said the State was not alone in experiencing rental pressure. “There is not one rental market in the country that is not facing pressure,” he said. “We have seen across the hall, due to the COVID pandemic, a radical reshaping of housing markets. “But you look at all the initiatives we’re doing; boosting land supply, our planning reforms, all the other measures that we’re doing — we are seeing more additional housing stock added to the market.” Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens said she was “proud” to be a champion of projects like the lots released in Oyster Harbour to increase housing supply in the Great Southern. “As the local member, I continue to advocate for my community to ensure we respond to Albany’s future housing needs — and this is a clear commitment from the Cook Labor Government,” she said. “This important development will provide more affordable rental housing to families and singles in Albany and is part of the Government’s $3.6 billion commitment to housing and homelessness programs across the State, particularly here in Albany. “Oyster Harbour is becoming one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Albany and I’m pleased to be part of the Cook Government as we release another 19 new residential housing lots in our community.” The 19 lots in Oyster Harbour are expected to be completed in early 2025.