RENTAL PRESSURE TO CONTINUE IN PILBARA

Rental prices in Karratha and other parts of the Pilbara have increased over the past 12 months. Credit: Pilbara Development Commission.

The Pilbara’s rental shortage looks set to continue.

Recent data from the Pilbara Development Commission shows rental prices increased around 15% over the last financial year.

PDC Director of Regional Development, Michael Heap, said plans for new projects in the resources industry will cause high demand to continue.

“We do need more housing, but we will push as hard as we can to get as much as we can to help us through this next period of growth,” he said.

Mr Heap said more service worker accommodation and social housing is planned to assist renters who don’t work in the resources industry and can’t afford high rents.

“The state has to compete with everyone else for labour and for trade to get our houses on the market, but for now we will continue to bring that forward as much as we possibly can.”