A Western Australian housing charity has formally lodged a development application to build 11 prefabricated small homes for homeless people in Margaret River — but only after nearly five years of bureaucratic delays that advocates say have left vulnerable residents without options in one of the state's most expensive rental markets.
The proposal, put forward by charity MyHome, would see compact prefabricated dwellings erected on a long-disused railway barracks site in the popular South West tourist town. The application is now before planning authorities for assessment, marking the first formal step in a process that began when the local Rotary club first floated the idea half a decade ago.
Red Tape Blamed for Years of Delay on Margaret River Housing Plan
MyHome founder Michelle Blakeley says the drawn-out process of securing a peppercorn lease over the crown land from the state government has been the central obstacle, despite widespread community support for more affordable and social housing in the region.
"I think everyone from the shire president down would love to see more social housing in Margaret River, right through the South West and Great Southern," Ms Blakeley said.
She described the charity's experience navigating government processes as jumping "through hoops in a very elongated red tape procedure," and called for the system to be streamlined so that housing organisations can respond more quickly to acute need.
The state government, however, pushed back on that characterisation. A government spokesperson said MyHome had only re-engaged with planning officials this year, and noted the charity had previously advised that its own due diligence found the site was not viable for residential development. The spokesperson also confirmed the land is eligible for inclusion in the Noongar Land Estate but has not yet been formally offered to the local Aboriginal corporation, and said that eligibility had not caused delays.
Holiday Hotspot Prices Squeeze Out Key Workers and Vulnerable Residents
Margaret River's reputation as a premier wine and surf destination has driven strong demand for short-term holiday rentals, pushing rents well beyond what many locals — including essential workers — can afford.
"Because there's a high demand for holiday rentals, the rents in that area are very high, and a lot of people living in that area, even if they are employed, even as key workers, they just can't afford the rents in the area, because they are paying a premium," Ms Blakeley said.
The railway barracks site earmarked for the project dates to the 1920s and has sat largely idle, making it, in the eyes of advocates, an obvious candidate for repurposing as social housing.
Indigenous Consultation and Shire Support
During the negotiations, the Department of Planning indicated that discussions would need to take place with local Aboriginal corporation Karri Karrak. The corporation's chief executive, Abby Phillis, confirmed the land had initially been intended for inclusion in the Noongar Land Estate, but said Karri Karrak was broadly supportive of social and affordable housing being provided on the site.
Shire of Augusta Margaret River chief executive Andrea Sevley confirmed the development application is now under assessment, adding that the shire has a long history of backing initiatives that increase access to safe, secure and affordable housing.
A Proven Model, But a Slow Process
MyHome says it has already demonstrated the model works elsewhere in WA. The charity has delivered 30 small social homes on leased vacant land in North Fremantle and Albany, and a further 24 homes in Carlisle. Ms Blakeley argues the Margaret River project could follow the same path — if the process of obtaining leases, completing checks and securing government funding can be made less cumbersome.
With the development application now lodged and assessment under way, supporters of the project are cautiously optimistic — but acutely aware that for many people in the region, housing relief cannot come soon enough.
