Addressing the Whitsunday Coast Region’s Employee Accommodation Crisis

The purpose of the Chamber’s policy paper is to highlight the pressing issue of employee accommodation shortage in the Whitsunday Coast region, specifically in Airlie Beach and Proserpine.

The lack of suitable short- and long-term housing options for employees has led to significant challenges in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.  This crisis not only hinders the region’s economic growth but also impedes the ability of local businesses to reach their full potential. 

Immediate action from the government is imperative to alleviate this crisis. 

The paper aims to present the Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce considered view as a serious stakeholder, offering valid ideas and recommendations for government intervention.

1. Current Accommodation Shortages & Regulatory Constraint: The existing accommodation shortages in the region primarily arise from the concentration of housing stock in holiday lettings, leaving limited options for employees servicing the region. To address this issue effectively, it is necessary to explore regulatory interventions and potentially implement a temporary moratorium on existing regulations and development legislation. 
2. Additional Policy Recommendations: In addition to regulatory interventions, the following suggestions merit consideration to address the accommodation crisis effectively – use of land, incentivising transition, build to rent programs, employer housing initiatives, developer incentives, removal/reform of red tape at state planning level, transition from stamp duty to annual land tax, accelerated approval processes at Council planning level, taxation reform at the federal level.
3. Immediate Action Steps: To kickstart the process of resolving the accommodation crisis, the following immediate actions should be taken – developing a marketing and advocacy program, advocacy white paper, and property release campaign.

The Whitsunday Coast region is facing a severe employee accommodation crisis that demands immediate government intervention.  By implementing a range of regulatory measures and incentivising various accommodation initiatives, the government can play a pivotal role in resolving this pressing issue.  The Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce, as a respected stakeholder, urges the government to take prompt action to ensure the region’s economic health and prosperity.  By embracing the recommendations presented in this paper, all levels of government can demonstrate its commitment to fostering a thriving business environment while addressing the critical housing needs of employees.

Current activity

Since 2025, the Chamber has been a member of the Greater Whitsunday Communities and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays Whitsunday Coast Workforce Accommodation Working Group.

The purpose of the Working Group is to oversee activities to attract investment in workforce accommodation solutions in Cannonvale through to Shute Harbour to help employers better attract and retain staff and to help their businesses grow.

Consultations

The Chamber has been invited to participate in the following consutlations:

• Whitsunday Regional Council’s Housing Strategy consultation, June 2023
• Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit, August 2023

Resources