Griffith City Council and the Griffith Business Chamber have combined their resources to create the Griffith Worker and Housing Shortage Taskforce.
President of the Griffith Business Chamber, Mr John Nikolic, today commented that: 'The biggest constraint on Griffith's economic growth is a lack of workers, coupled with a shortage of places to house them in. The Griffith Business Chamber is pleased to announce the creation of the Griffith Worker and Housing Shortage Taskforce with Griffith City Council, with a singular focus on alleviating these shortages'.
The Taskforce was inaugurated in November 2023, and held its first meeting in the New Year on 15 January 2024. It has representatives from Griffith City Council and the Griffith Business Chamber, as well as the office of Helen Dalton MP, State Member for the Seat of Murray, and the office of Sussan Ley MP, Federal Member for the Seat of Farrer. Further representatives will be invited as necessary.
Mr Nikolic continued: 'the aim of the Taskforce is primarily to address the housing shortage, by documenting the existing state of the housing market, identifying opportunities for further social, affordable and worker housing projects within the local area, and lobbying State and federal governments for funding.'
Griffith City Mayor, Mr Doug Curran, stated that: 'aside from water buy-backs, there is no more pressing issue for the development of our city than alleviating the worker and housing shortage. With the creation of Housing Australia and the $10 billion Housing Australian Future Fund Facility by the federal government, it's essential that Griffith City Council gets projects shovel-ready for submission for grant applications'.
Mr Curran continued: 'Griffith City Council already has form in this space, by partnering with Argyle Housing for the award-winning Griffin Green Affordable Housing Project, which will provide 20 affordable rental units and 42 vacant lots to the market in 2024. However, we must continue to innovate, and look for further opportunities to increase housing stock, including through private investment. For example, we're keen to make land-owners aware of the development concessions currently available for secondary dwellings'.
The Taskforce will meet monthly and prepare a report of recommendations over the next nine months, for publication and consultation.
