Let’s be honest. How many times have you found the perfect candidate – a brilliant guide, a chef with flair, a front-of-house star – only to have the conversation grind to a halt with the question, “So, where would I live?” We’ve all been there. It’s the single biggest handbrake on growth for tourism operators across regional WA.
You can have the best marketing in the world, but if you can’t house the team to deliver the experience, you’re just pouring water into a leaky bucket. That’s why the recent announcement from the Cook Government, while sounding a bit dry and bureaucratic, is something you need to pay serious attention to.
So, What’s Actually Changed?
The government has extended the deadline for its $25 million Regional Housing Support Fund. I know, a “fund” sounds like something for big developers, not for a tour operator or a boutique winery. But I want you to challenge that thinking. This isn’t just about building suburbs; it’s about solving the exact problem that’s keeping you up at night.
Here’s the simple translation of the media release:
- The What: A $25 million pot of money designed to help get regional housing projects off the ground that otherwise wouldn’t stack up financially.
- The Goal: To cover the “feasibility gap” for projects that propose a minimum of three new dwellings or lots.
- The Big News: You now have until early February 2026 to get an application together. That’s a huge runway to think strategically.
- Who Can Apply: This is the key part. It’s not just developers. Local governments and community housing providers are prime candidates. This is where you come in.
It’s easy to look at this and think, “I don’t have the time or money to become a property developer.” But you’re missing the opportunity. This isn’t about you pouring concrete yourself; it’s about being the catalyst for a solution.
Your 3-Step Action Plan for Right Now
Fluff is useless. Here’s what you can actually do to turn this announcement into a potential game-changer for your business.
- Stop Thinking Solo, Start Thinking Collaboratively.
Your first call shouldn’t be to a builder; it should be to the other operators in your tourism precinct. Is there a shared need? Could five local businesses co-sponsor an application with your local Shire for a small, 10-unit block of staff housing? A collective voice is infinitely more powerful than a lone one. - Make it Easy for Your Shire to Help You.
Your local government is an eligible applicant, and they are acutely aware of this problem. Don’t just go to them with a complaint; go to them with a proposal. Quantify the economic benefit. Show them the job ads you can’t fill, the bookings you’ve had to turn down, and the growth you’re forecasting if you could just get a stable team on the ground. Give them the business case they can take to the State Government. - Understand the “Feasibility Gap”.
This is just government-speak for “show us the maths.” Why doesn’t building staff housing in your town make financial sense right now? Get quotes for land and construction. Work out what a reasonable, affordable rent for your staff would be. The chasm between the total cost and the viable financial return is your “gap.” The clearer you can define that number, the stronger your application will be.
This extension is a gift of time. It’s an opportunity to move from complaining about the staff housing crisis to actively architecting a solution. Solving this problem is the foundation upon which all your future growth—and marketing success—will be built.
Look, this is a heavy lift, but it’s a game-changer. Once you have a stable team in place, the next challenge is making sure your booking calendar is consistently full. If you get your housing project over the line and need help building a marketing strategy that capitalises on your new capacity, my team at SATM is ready to help you map it out.
