Nationals candidate for Bunbury James Hayward has announced a bold plan to “fix Withers forever” should his party win a third term of coalition government.
Mr Hayward addressed the media on Tuesday morning to confirm a $21.2 million commitment to housing in the suburb.
“A lot of the social issues in Withers stem from insufficient housing infrastructure which creates significant angst among tenants and across the community,” he said.
“It wasn’t believed that we could close a laneway in Withers let alone revitalise the whole suburb but that is what we are now aiming to do.”
In October 2016, the Housing Authority, City of Bunbury and South West Development Commission signed a memorandum of understanding to consider housing options in Bunbury and Withers.
Mr Hayward said the commitment would see 40 new houses built which would create 111 local jobs.
He also said it would assist the suburb to upgrade their aging houses and will deliver a diverse and thriving community.
“We are going to reduce the number of social houses across the suburb with urban renewal program which will see different types of housing available,” he said.
This plan would deliver a real and permanent solution to the suburb of Withers.
- Nationals candidate for Bunbury James Hayward.
“The concentration of social housing is the basis of a lot of the dysfunction that Withers has suffered. The solution is to dilute that.
“There will be less social housing in the suburb in the future.”
South West MLC Colin Holt said the Nationals plan, which will roll out over 10 to 15 years, will change people’s perceptions of the suburb and make it an attractive place to live.
“Withers is almost in the CBD of Bunbury now and it’s close to all the amenities including the beach and the sporting grounds – of course it’s going to be an attractive place to live once we change the mix,” he said.
“But it has to be done carefully. When the Housing Authority do a project like this they have to be conscious of the local real estate market.
“If you do it all in one hit it can hurt the people who own their homes and want to sell because there is too much stock on the market.”
The project would be funded by $10.6 million of Royalties for Regions investment and $10.6 million from consolidated revenue.
Andrew Elstermann
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
