Kylie tackles housing crisis in the Whitsundays

By Kylie Davies

“Because it is my home town, I want to help the people in my backyard,” Kylie said.

“I like volunteering in the community and this interests me because university isn’t always the best option for everyone, particularly those who want to work in the hospitality, tourism and building industries.”

“It is unfortunately people in those particular industries who are on low wages and affordability of housing becomes a real problem for people in that situation.

I understand the seriousness of the affordability problem in the Whitsundays because even on a solicitor’s wage I can’t afford to buy a house locally at the moment. House prices have escalated hugely in recent years.”

“The WHC is beneficial for the town because it provides stability for people: once they have a stable home it filters through to other areas of their lives including finding jobs.

“The waiting list for the affordable housing provided by the WHC is too long, and as a local anything I can do to reduce this list I am happy to do.”

As WHC secretary, Kylie has recently volunteered her legal services and has transferred the block of land in Jubilee Pocket earmarked for a 30-unit affordable housing project to the WHC, which will oversee the development.

Kylie said she has seen the plans for the units and was confident the project manager the WHC had on board would deliver a quality development. “I wouldn’t mind living in one,” she joked. For more information about the WHC contact Kylie Davies at our solicitors Whitsunday office on 4948 4500.

Kylie Davies, based at Macrossan & Amiet’s Whitsunday office, is a true local having been born in Proserpine Hospital and completed all her education at Cannonvale Primary School and Proserpine State High School.

Kylie moved back to Airlie Beach to work with Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors after completing her law degree. She recently became a board member and secretary of the Whitsunday Housing Company (WHC), which has been formed to deliver affordable housing in the local area.

Here, she explains why it is so important to her that her hometown has sufficient affordable housing.