Barkindji woman tackles Broken Hill housing problem with plan to build 500 eco-friendly homes

A Barkindji woman is hoping to improve housing supply concerns in Broken Hill with a project that could result in about 500 eco-friendly homes being built in the city. 

Nara Nation’s Narelle Osborne,  who is working with the development company Cliq Build, said they were also hoping to make some of the material for the houses in Broken Hill, creating more jobs. 

Ms Osborne said they would be using a high percentage of waste products from the mines, mixed with concrete, to make panels for the house.

She said they were hoping to start building a display home in the city in six weeks.

Ms Osborne said the overall project could have significant involvement from the Broken Hill community.

“Having the panels made there, not only for the infrastructure in Broken Hill but then start exporting.”

She said they were hoping to address local housing supply concerns that had been raised with them.

“With all of the mining and infrastructure growing in Broken Hill, we’ve been advised that there is a massive shortage in housing,” Ms Osborne said.

“With all the mines opening up in Broken Hill and the surrounding areas they need about 500 houses.”

Plans for jobs and childcare centre 

Ms Osborne, who is based in Adelaide, said she would like to see women, high-school students, local inmates and people out of work involved in the project.

She said the homes would also be a viable option for locals.

“And with the locals, if they want a brand new house, if they want to make their existing house bigger let’s make it happen for them.”

Ms Osborne said they were also looking at setting up a childcare centre in the city under a separate project.

She said they had been told there was a current 18-month wait for child care locally.

“So we’re looking at that right now as well.”

Ms Osborne said one of the proposed locations for the centre was Clark Street.