Designing A Future: A Focus on Regional Housing Solutions Breakfast

Industry experts gave their views to a packed room when housing solutions were discussed at length at a special Committee 4 Wagga event yesterday.

Designing A Future: A Focus On Regional Housing Solutions was facilitated by Tim “Rosso” Ross, a passionate advocate for architecture and design as well as a celebrated comedian and TV/radio personality.

Tim “Rosso” Ross providing insights about housing solutions to local media after the event.

The event was held at The Riverine Club with breakfast by Pastorale and was supported by PRD real estate, which was represented by speakers Simon Freemantle and Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo.

Simon Freemantle of PRD Wagga Wagga spoke about supply in the local housing market.

Other speakers included DevCore managing director Paul Thompson, Wagga Wagga City Council director regional activation John Sidgwick, The Building Supply Company and HIA Wagga representative Tony Balding and RDA Riverina research officer Melanie Renkin.

Among the potential solutions flagged were build-to-rent and modular homes, public/private partnerships, community-based land initiatives, asset re-purposing, infill development options and CBD masterplan, urban design principles, overhauling the planning system and support of local governments for infrastructure assistance.

The panel of speakers welcomed questions from the audience.

Attendees were given an insight to the 2023-24 Land Monitor Report, which is produced by RDA Riverina in conjunction with Committee 4 Wagga and HIA Wagga and is set to be released in coming weeks.

Mr Balding provided an overview of the Economic Impact Analysis of Residential Construction Volume in Wagga Wagga City Council.

Committee 4 Wagga Chair Adam Drummond was delighted with the turnout and with the diversity of presentations on the day.

“I think the focus on solutions rather than just acknowledging the challenges was refreshing but there’s no doubt about it, we have a semi trailer to turn around in a tight cul de sac when it comes to overnight solutions. I think some of the solutions mentioned today will have the potential to be a part of the council’s housing strategy and it was good to have them (council) represented in the room to hear the concerns of a lot of passionate stakeholders as well as council giving a transparent update on planning and strategies moving forward.”