Graycar Scores $1M to Deliver 52 New Homes in Port Pirie
The Mid North is set to get a serious housing lift, with Graycar Contractors securing a $1 million investment from Renewal SA to deliver 52 new housing opportunities in Port Pirie.
The boost comes through the Office for Regional Housing’s latest Expression of Interest (EOI) process. What makes this one different? The developer didn’t just meet the bar…they cleared it with room to spare.
What’s on the table?
Ten rental homes for key workers. Forty-two new residential allotments. And a commitment to build fast.
That’s what Adelaide-based Graycar Contractors has committed to in Port Pirie, backed by the $1 million incentive from Renewal SA’s Regional Housing Initiatives Program.
To access the full amount, developers were required to deliver 10 homes and at least 20 additional allotments. Graycar is delivering more than double that.
Matt Hunt, Director of the Office for Regional Housing, said the result “far exceeded expectations.”
“The creation of 52 new housing opportunities in Port Pirie will go a long way to ease pressure in a tight housing market,” Mr Hunt said.
Why Port Pirie?
It’s not just about location. Port Pirie has been earmarked as a priority zone due to growing demand for government workforce housing, proximity to mining activity up north, and a strong local construction sector.
The Balmoral Park Estate in Risdon Park, just 3km from Port Pirie’s centre, will be the focus. Stage one delivers 20 serviced lots and the 10 homes. Stage two unlocks another 32 lots.
It’s a staged approach, but not a slow one. Civils and construction are expected to wrap up within 30 months, with Chelsea Homes Graycar’s joint venture partner driving the build.
“We want to ensure our investment delivers housing opportunities quickly,” said Hunt. “Chelsea Homes will take advantage of scale while ensuring those 10 homes for essential workers are delivered on time.”
A win for the local workforce
The 10 completed homes will be leased under the Government Employee Housing scheme for at least 10 years, ensuring stable accommodation for essential staff.
Lucio Signore, owner of Graycar Contractors, said the project is a clear investment in Port Pirie’s future.
“We’re proud to be contributing to a project that will make a real difference,” he said. “These homes will help attract and retain essential workers… and stimulate local construction.”
Graycar’s long-standing presence in the region gave Renewal SA added confidence.
“The fact the developer is already active in the area provided added efficiencies and gave us confidence the project would be delivered to a high standard,” Hunt noted.
The bigger picture
This project isn’t an isolated win. Renewal SA has been on a mission to unlock land and lift housing stock across the state. Their $10 million Regional Housing Initiatives Program is already supporting similar projects expected to deliver over 200 homes and serviced lots statewide.
Hunt says it’s about kickstarting the right kind of growth.
“By contributing to projects like this, we’re hoping to stimulate the local development and construction industries and unlock further opportunities.”
For builders watching from other regions, this might be one to note.
The message from the Office for Regional Housing is clear: solid proposals that support housing access and regional growth will be backed. And there’s money on the table for those who can deliver.
The TGB take
Good builders know regional workforces only run as well as the homes available for them. Projects like this aren’t just about houses. They’re about giving communities room to grow.
It’s also a reminder that tapping into local opportunities like EOIs through Renewal SA can deliver real business upside. Fifty-two allotments is no small feat, and for builders with capacity in quieter patches, this kind of regional activity could be a smart move.
“Margins are getting tighter but expectations are growing.”
That’s something we hear often. But in this case, Graycar found a way to deliver both meeting community need and securing state support to do it.
What’s next?
Keep an eye on Balmoral Park Estate. Builders, suppliers, and tradies in the Mid North should watch this one unfold…it could set the tone for more regional builds backed by infrastructure support.
And if you’re in a region with similar housing pressure? Talk to your local council or Renewal SA. The path has been cleared.
Call to Action:
Want to understand more about government-backed housing projects in your region? Check out our Regional Housing Coverage page and subscribe for alerts on new EOIs and funding rounds. Stay ahead, stay informed with The Good Builder.
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