Council eyes key worker housing

Published on 03 March 2023

Council is aiming to partner with Government to deliver a new multi-storey apartment block to ease the city's ongoing housing crisis.

The old iceworks site (176-178 Beryl Street) has been purchased by Council at a cost of $210,000 to serve as a location for the proposed apartments.

With a site now secured, Council will look to form a partnership with Government bodies from the Health, Police, and Education sectors to fund the proposed project.

Mayor Tom Kennedy said the apartment block would be important in the long-term attraction and retention of key workers.

"We're continually hearing stories of teachers, nurses, and other staff in important sectors who are unable to move to town for work due to the current housing situation," said Mayor Kennedy.

"The reality is that that this situation is only going to intensify and persist as new major mining and energy projects come online in the region in the coming years.

"This project would allow for the long-term creation of comfortable, modern apartments to house staff working in the health, education, and emergency services sectors.

"Our recent housing audit also showed that there is an unmet demand for medium to high density housing in Broken Hill; when working professionals come to the city they don't necessarily want to buy a big house and block they have to maintain."

Mr Kennedy said initial conversations with local Government departments regarding the project had been positive, and Council would now look to assemble initial documentation such as a feasibility study, preliminary concept designs, and a business case.