Seeking to drive collaborative solutions to housing issues identified in Queensland’s Greater Whitsunday region, Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and RDA Greater Whitsundays have partnered on a regional housing project. The Greater Whitsunday Housing Project is a multi-phased initiative targeted to bring together a range of local stakeholders to discuss, and drive positive outcomes to, current and future housing challenges. 

Featuring a broad and inclusive steering committee – with membership including regional councils, developers, housing trusts and industry associations, and regional Indigenous housing program, Girudala – the Housing Project has so far included a roundtable, research project, summit and associated action plan.

The Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit, held in August 2023, brought together around 170 participants who took part in workshops to develop solutions across topics including workforce accommodation, social and affordable housing, housing innovation to reduce time and cost, and aged care and retirement living.

A key outcome of the Summit, the 2023 Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit Action Plan, includes prioritised solutions discussed at the Summit, as well as identification of relevant stakeholders who can help progress outcomes. The Housing Summit also demonstrated majority support of participants for the establishment of a Housing Alliance, in which GWC and RDA GW are now in the process of developing an operational model. It is anticipated that the Housing Alliance will coordinate and drive activities flowing from the Housing Project – helping to unite efforts, amplify impact, and chart a path for comprehensive solutions across the housing spectrum.

Learn more: Greater Whitsunday Housing Project.

This case study is also published in the State of Australia’s Regions 2024 report.