Latest news with #EastKimberley
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Desperate mother struggles to find home in WA's Kimberley with zero properties to rent
For the past couple of years, Billie Mills has wanted a suitable house to rent in Western Australia's north for herself and her two children. But the 39-year-old feels lucky to have a single room in her share house in Kununurra, 3,000km north of Perth in the remote East Kimberley. "There were periods when I was sleeping in my car, out of my swag, and couch surfing," she said. Ms Mills works full-time in Kununurra, a town with more than 5,000 residents but no properties available for rent. Out of the East Kimberley Real Estate office, the window displaying Kununurra properties for rent is empty. "We don't have anything to advertise or to offer anyone who's looking for a rental," the agency's Jill Weller said. Ms Weller said the situation was "dire" and even harder for those who were not "preferred" tenants. At least half of her office's rental roll was made up by corporate clients, including government agencies and private companies looking to secure housing for employees, she said. The tenancies are seen as more "secure" by local landlords. The state's Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) program manages 319 dwellings across Kununurra and the neighbouring town of Wyndham. Of those, more than half (167) are leased from the private market. Housing Minister John Carey said the GROH program was crucial in ensuring regional communities attracted and retained government workers, including teachers and police. Six GROH houses were built in Kununurra over the 2024-25 financial year as part of a $104 million funding injection across the state. The Department of Communities did not respond to the ABC's questions regarding the number of GROH houses currently vacant in the East Kimberley. In addition to vacant houses, there are GROH houses with multiple bedrooms allocated to a single tenant. A Kununurra GROH tenant, who requested anonymity to protect their employment, said they were allocated a house with extra rooms they did not need. "I was very happy to have just the one bedroom," they said. "We take what's available." Despite providing a valuable service, they said the guarantee of secure housing sparked resentment from local recruits not eligible for the scheme. The tenant said they moved to the East Kimberley to contribute to the community but would not have without secure housing. Real Estate Institute of Western Australia vice president Joe White said corporate leases made "a critical situation more drastic". "When a mining company or government agency needs to rent a house, they can afford to pay more because they're not limited," he said. "They will invariably bid higher and you see rents increase." Kununurra's median rental price is $730 per week, nearly double what it was in 2021. Mr White said the most vulnerable paid the highest price in the current rental crisis. "Every time a high-paid person comes into the community, the next most-vulnerable finds themselves on the street. "The true figures are hidden because invariably they end up in share houses, living in garages or they leave town." Ms Mills is one of those paying the price — working full-time but unable to secure a suitable home for herself and her children. She said she wanted to stay in the Kimberley.
ABC News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Halls Creek left without football oval for second season as works delayed
One of outback Australia's most talent-laden footballing communities has been left without a safe football ground for a second consecutive season. Halls Creek, 3,000 kilometres north-east of Perth, is home to 3,600 people and has produced more than 10 AFL and AFLW footballers over the past decade. Scouts have flocked to the town's rough-and-tumble oval, where players like Shane McAdam (Melbourne), Jy Farrar (Gold Coast), Ash Johnson (Collingwood) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton/West Coast) got their first taste of football. But after months of delays to planned works, the oval remains unsafe for football. In a statement posted to the Shire of Halls Creek's Facebook page, chief executive Sue Leonard acknowledged the news was disappointing. "Due to the unfinished nature of the work, the oval cannot be used safely in any capacity," she said. "We acknowledge the delay is a significant setback for local footy teams, junior sports and many community members who rely on the oval as a central gathering and recreation space. "We want to reassure the public that the project has not been abandoned. "We are actively exploring all options to move the works forward." The local competition split from the wider East Kimberley Football League in 2023 due to the staggering travel distances local clubs faced. But the delays have made it hard for the fledgling South East Kimberley Football League to get up and running. The local competition remains a source of pride, fun and community connection in a region facing immense social challenges. Dennis Chungulla coaches the Yardgee Dockers, one of two teams based in Halls Creek, and said the prospect of another year with limited footy was very disappointing. Despite past violent incidents during matches, he said the games were important "family events". "The footballers are upset," he said. Halls Creek Hawks president Trish Mackay said the delay had seen players drift away from the community. "Some might have gone to Fitzroy [Crossing], some have definitely gone to teams in Kununurra," she said. Sport also provides an important outlet for local youths, with Mr Chungulla often bringing in young players considered "at risk" in the wider community. He said he was increasingly concerned about the impact another year without regular organised football would have. "Without activities like these, you have kids roaming around the streets," Mr Chungulla said. Ms Mackay said those who remained were desperate for footy to return. "I've always got to answer: 'Look at the oval, you can't play on that, so we've got no football,'" she said. "Football is a big part of their lives." Mr Chungulla would like to be on the sidelines cheering the players on with their families as soon as possible, but he is not sure when the oval will be ready to host Australian Rules games again. "We'd like to see something moving forward." Mr Chungulla said the delay meant Halls Creek, Yardgee and other community teams would need help getting the competition up and running again. In a social media statement, the Halls Creek Shire said it was engaging with the contractor — the second one since the works started — and could not provide any further details.
