The Shire has requested the land rezoning in order to enable the development of a range of housing and facilities close the town centre, in keeping with liveable neighbourhood concepts and the growing needs of Kununurra as a major regional centre.

There have been a number of public comment opportunities, including two statutory advertising periods as part of the rezoning and subdivision process. There have also been a number of sessions held with local stakeholders to discuss the ‘transitional’ housing. Presentations on the development have been given at the regular Ord public forums.

If all the lots are developed to their full potential, there could be up to 124 homes.

The majority of the development will be permanent residential, with 5 mixed use lots (mix of commercial/retail and residential) and a short stay patient accommodation facility.

Approximately two-thirds of the estate will be private housing, with the remainder funded through a range of public sources, including the East Kimberley Development Package.

Our contractor Ertech is using local subcontractors for the majority of the civil works, building on the relationships they have developed during previous projects.

Five lots have a mixed use zoning which allows development of shops and offices.

WA Country Health Services have been allocated two lots adjacent to the hospital site for their short stay patient accommodation facility. The Department of Housing has been allocated land for 25 transitional homes which is spread throughout the estate in a ‘salt and pepper’ approach.

25 homes will be built in the estate by the Department of Housing for tenants wanting to build their independence and progress from public housing into private rental and potentially home ownership. Tenants will be required to make progress towards this goal and will be supported through a comprehensive support program which will be provided to build tenants’ capacity to independently meet their tenancy obligations.

Aboriginal families committed to working, reducing their dependency on welfare and wanting to raise their children in a stable home, with good education.

Transitional homes will look like regular new houses, similar to the style of homes found in eg Lakeside Park. The management model is being finalised by the Department of Housing.

All lots will be subject to 36 month development conditions, and design guidelines which encourage climate responsive design and high quality built form which is extremely important in medium density developments.

All lots have now been released to the market. All homes must be built on the lots within 3 years of settlement.

WACHS have appointed architects for the project who are working in close consultation with our estate architects to ensure the best design outcome. The accommodation will be built on two lots on the edge of the development, adjacent to the hospital.

DevelopmentWA will be providing services (water, power, sewerage) connections to the proposed Neighbourhood House site. Capital funding for the house is not yet confirmed.

The development is intended to have well designed, climate responsive homes. There will be a mix of housing styles and product ranging from small units to single homes. There may be some two storey development on the mixed use lots along Chestnut Drive. Design guidelines will guide the built form of houses in the development.

All construction will be subject to the normal Shire development and building controls. The development will offer a new residential option for Kununurra, close to community amenities, and signals a step forward for the town as it emerges as a major regional centre.