MEDIA RELEASE THURSDAY 6 MARCH 2025
KATE HOOK CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON HOUSING CRISIS IN CALARE
Independent candidate for Calare, Kate Hook has announced her plans to tackle the housing crisis gripping the region, as families, essential workers, and vulnerable community members struggle to find affordable and secure housing.
“The housing crisis in Calare is getting worse. Rental prices are skyrocketing, public and social housing is in short supply, and too many people are being forced into homelessness,” Ms Hook said.
Ms Hook has outlined a practical, community-focused housing plan that prioritises affordability, regional infrastructure, and better use of existing spaces. She has also thrown her support behind Independent MP for Indi Helen Haines’ Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund, which would provide essential funding to fast-track housing developments in regional areas.
“This is a supply and infrastructure issue. Without proper investment in roads, water, and services, we can’t build the affordable housing we desperately need. The Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund is a smart, targeted solution that will remove barriers to new housing and ensure our communities can grow sustainably,” Ms Hook said.
Five Key Actions to Fix Housing in Calare
Kate Hook’s plan for housing in Calare includes:
1. Building More Affordable and Social Housing
- Increased federal and state investment in social and affordable housing for regional areas.
- Ensuring new developments include a fair mix of affordable and social housing to meet local needs.
2. Protecting Renters and Ensuring Fair Tenancy Laws
- Stronger rental protections, including fair limits on rent increases.
- Better regulation of short-term rentals, like Airbnb, to protect long-term rental availability.
3. Making Better Use of Existing Spaces
- Supporting infill development and repurposing vacant buildings for housing.
- Encouraging CBD revitalisation and mixed-use development to create more housing while strengthening local economies.
4. Investing in Regional Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth
- Backing Helen Haines’ Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund to ensure roads, water, and services are in place for new housing.
- Promoting medium-density housing in well-serviced areas to balance affordability and sustainability.
5. Bold tax reform that takes an honest look at how successive government’s tax policies have fed this housing crisis. Kate is calling for a review of tax structures that have enabled investors to hoard properties, such as negative gearing and capital gains tax.
“This is about regional fairness. For too long, governments have ignored the housing needs of regional Australia. We need to make better use of existing spaces, build smarter, more energy efficient homes, and invest in infrastructure to unlock new housing supply,” Ms Hook said.
“With strong independent representation, we can put people before politics and deliver real solutions for housing in Calare.”