- Cook Labor Government to deliver 305 homes for regional frontline workers in Karratha and Port Hedland
- Part of a more than 500-home program across the State, delivered in partnership with Western Australia's resources industry as part of the government's Seven Cities vision
- Rio Tinto to invest $100 million, BHP $50 million, and Hancock $20 million
- Biggest-ever GROH build to meet needs to 2030 and support the delivery of frontline services across the Pilbara
The Cook Labor Government will prioritise the delivery of 305 homes for regional frontline workers in Karratha and Port Hedland, in partnership with Western Australia's resources industry as part of its Seven Cities vision for regional WA.
The Pilbara build is part of a State-wide program of more than 500 homes, which will meet projected demand for GROH housing to 2030.
Seven Cities is a long-term vision to unlock the next wave of regional economic development and deliver quality infrastructure and services around the State.
The seven regional cities of Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Geraldton, and Albany have been identified as critical to the government's vision for the State to become a renewable energy powerhouse and make more things in WA.
The GROH expansion will be delivered over five years and be partially funded through a partnership with major resources companies through the Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII), with $100 million from Rio Tinto, $50 million from BHP, and $20 million from Hancock.
Rio Tinto's contribution will also deliver further housing in Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Roebourne, in addition to Karratha.
The 2026-27 State Budget includes $419 million for GROH and other government worker accommodation, as part of an overall $692 million investment in regional housing initiatives.
This includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme (HOSS), which will include shared equity to encourage government workers to purchase homes in the communities they work in.
The Build to Lease investor scheme will also be expanded to encourage private sector investment in the delivery of GROH.
As part of the 2026-27 Budget and future Budgets, the government will continue investing in the economic infrastructure necessary to bring new job-creating projects to fruition, including in industrial land, energy, water, transport, and the environment.
To support the skilled local workforce required by industry, the government will also prioritise investment in housing, health, and other public services in the Seven Cities, so that they can expand their roles as hubs for the delivery of services to their regions.
GROH homes are provided at a subsidised rate to government workers in services including education, community safety, and health to help attract and retain frontline workers in regional communities.
The accommodation is critical to the provision of quality public services across the State.
This initiative brings theCook Labor Government's investment in GROH since 2021 to $666 million and includes the doubling of the GROH construction program committed in the 2025-26 State Budget.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Regional cities like Karratha and Port Hedland have been central to Western Australia becoming the strongest economy in the nation and will be critical to our future economic success.
"While traditional industries like mining will continue to thrive, Karratha and Port Hedland will be front-and-centre to my government's vision and becoming a renewable energy powerhouse and making more things here.
"To seize the big job-creating projects in front of us in Karratha and Port Hedland, we need to continue to invest in economic infrastructure and expand their roles as hubs providing quality services to the towns and remote communities within the Pilbara.
"My Seven Cities vision starts with housing and ensuring Karratha and Port Hedland have the frontline workers needed to deliver quality public services.
"I commend and thank Rio Tinto, BHP, and Hancock for partnering with my government on this GROH housing build, to support the delivery of better services in the communities in which they operate."
As stated by Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"The Pilbara is the engine room of our State's economy, and this investment recognises that housing is essential to supporting continued growth in the region.
"This will boost housing supply for key government workers in Karratha and Port Hedland, while also alleviating pressure on those communities' private housing markets."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Pilbara is a place of opportunity and economic strength. It's a region that plays a vital role in Western Australia's continued growth.
"Through this partnership, and as part of our Seven Cities vision, Port Hedland and Karratha will see targeted investment in the infrastructure and housing needed to support key workers and ensure people can build a life in the regions they serve.
"The Cook Government understands the importance of strong regional communities, which is why we are investing in the services and housing they need to make them great places to live and work, now and into the future."
Comments attributed to Pilbara Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"For generations, mining in the Pilbara has helped make Western Australia's economy the strongest in the nation.
"We need to ensure the people living in the region have access to the quality services and infrastructure they need to keep WA's economy strong.
"Building more GROH in Karratha and Port Hedland will return more supply to the local market, supporting these cities to remain great places to live, work and raise a family for decades to come."
As stated by Rio Tinto Iron Ore CEO Matthew Holcz:
"Rio Tinto has a long and deep connection to regional WA, directly supporting six towns across the Pilbara and, through our Fly-In, Fly-Out program, providing employment and economic activity to a further six communities from the Kimberley to the Great Southern.
"Being a good partner to those communities means investing in the things that make them work; the teachers, police, and frontline workers who keep them safe and thriving. And for those people to be there, the right housing needs to be in place.
"This $100 million investment does exactly that, delivering more homes in Karratha, Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo, and Roebourne and supporting the many people who live and work in these communities."
As stated by BHP Western Australian Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day:
"Strong Pilbara communities start with people having access to safe, affordable housing.
"When people can find a place to live, they're far more likely to build a life here, stay longer, and contribute to the region's long-term success.
"BHP's investment will help deliver the housing the Pilbara needs to attract and retain essential workers and ensure our towns continue to be great places to live and work."
As stated by Hancock Prospecting CEO Group Projects Sanjiv Manchanda:
"Hancock and our Executive Chairman Mrs Gina Rinehart AO are pleased to partner with the WA Government to invest in quality housing for some of our most essential workers.
"This investment will help strengthen the towns that keep our state running and ensure those who provide such vital services, like our police, have a place to call home.
"When mining and the resources sector does well, the whole of Australia does well and the RCII is a perfect example of what can be achieved with government and industry working together."
Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"Time and again, the Cook Labor Government has shown its commitment to delivering quality services for the Pilbara.
"This building of 305 homes in Karratha and Port Hedland will ensure these regional cities can deliver quality services across the Pilbara."
