Housing for the Rich on High School Land - Greens

Media Release, 24 October 2007  

“The former Craigie High School site should be providing affordable housing not just housing for the rich,” said Greens MLC Giz Watson. 

The news that the site of the demolished Craigie High School is to become a residential development that will raise land values in the area will bring no comfort to the many West Australians who are struggling to access affordable and secure housing.  

“While the Government is to be congratulated for its recent efforts in assisting first homebuyers with stamp duty relief, what is needed is a commitment to investment in social infrastructure, rather than tax relief,” Ms Watson said 

That commitment will move Western Australia closer to genuine social equity.  

“The State Government has so far been unable, or unwilling, to help reduce the cost pressures on residential land, or to honour its election commitments with respect to housing affordability, increasing social housing stock and enabling home ownership,” she said.  

“Access to affordable housing is a huge issue in WA, and given the wealth of the state it is disturbing that we are also in the midst of a prolonged housing affordability crisis. 

In any new subdivision, diversity of housing, along with easily available childcare, healthcare, public open space and education should all be taken into consideration, rather than maximizing potential value per square metre for the developer. 

“The future of sites such as Craigie High School should be carefully considered before selling off to the highest bidder,” she concluded.