The town of South Hedland is about to get a $50 million dose of urban renewal from the state government’s New Living Program.
The town of South Hedland is about to get a $50 million dose of urban renewal from the state government’s New Living Program.
Project manager Jaxon Construction is set to release hundreds of new housing lots and refurbished homes to the market over the next two years.
Objectives of the initiative include refurbishing houses for sale to both the public and existing tenants, upgrading of streetscapes and public open space, and improved land utilisation through the re-subdivision and refurbishment of public rental housing.
Following the opening of the New Living site office in the town last month, Jaxon is preparing to sell two residential lots by ballot and four lots with multiple development potential at auction on December 9.
The sale is a small taste of things to come, as the company is currently seeking government approval for its Stage One release of 83 lots located across Acacia Way, Cone Place and Traine Crescent, which are expected to come up for sale in the next six months.
A further 300 lots are planned for release over the next 18 months, including a Stage Two release of 67 lots.
Jaxon chief executive Lou D’Alessandro said the shortage of housing in the town was acute, but the regular land releases would help to ease demand.
“Once the land is released and buyers sign up for homes, there won’t be too much trouble getting builders up there,” Mr D’Alessandro said.
“The New Living work is a great platform for our business and it will be a rolling program over the next five to seven years.”
High on the agenda is the refurbishment of 480 Homeswest houses, of which 187 will be sold to the public and the rest retained for public housing.
The first of the refurbished homes for sale will be in Mitchie Crescent, and work has already commenced at Brown Place.
Mr D’Alessandro said the company would be seeking other development, refurbishment and maintenance opportunities over the period, while also concentrating on building project homes and creating new house and land packages for the town.
The South Hedland renewal project is the largest regional project of the New Living program, which is targeting eleven county towns including Geraldton, Canarvon, Bunbury, Narrogin, Albany, Esperance and South Kalgoorlie.
