Housing affordability crisis is now gripping the tiny WA town of Coorow, as a silent threat of rising land taxes and dwindling rental stock fuels a new kind of housing emergency.
The silent threat emerging
For years Coorow has been celebrated for its tight‑knit community and affordable lifestyle. Yet behind the picturesque wheat fields, a subtle but powerful force has been reshaping the local property market. In 2022 the state government introduced a revised land tax assessment that, while aimed at larger commercial holdings, inadvertently swept up modest family farms and owner‑occupied properties. The increased levy has forced many owners to sell, rent out, or abandon their homes, shrinking the pool of available dwellings.
Compounding the issue, a wave of out‑of‑state investors has begun purchasing vacant lots, betting on future development. Their plans often sit on hold, leaving land idle for years while the community watches houses sit empty. The result is a paradox: more land on the market, but fewer homes that people can actually afford to live in.
Impact on locals
Local families are feeling the pressure. Tenants report rent hikes of 15–20 per cent in the past twelve months, a steep rise for a town where the median weekly wage sits well below the national average. Young adults, who traditionally moved back home before setting out on their own, are now forced to seek accommodation in neighbouring Geraldton or even Perth, stretching family ties and eroding the town’s demographic balance.
“I’ve been looking for a place to buy for three years and every time I think I’ve found something, the price jumps,” says 28‑year‑old nurse Emily Harris. “It feels like the town is slipping away from us.”
Small businesses are not immune. With fewer residents able to afford local housing, foot traffic declines, and shop owners report a 10 per cent drop in sales since the tax changes took effect. The ripple effect threatens the very fabric of Coorow’s economy.
Council response and policy gaps
The Coorow Shire Council has convened an emergency housing taskforce, but limited funding hampers swift action. While the council has advocated for a state‑level review of the land tax thresholds, officials acknowledge that any amendment will take months, if not years, to materialise.
In the meantime, the council has rolled out a modest rent‑to‑buy scheme, allowing tenants to accrue a portion of their rent as a deposit. Critics argue the programme is under‑resourced and fails to address the root cause: the tax‑driven reduction in affordable stock.
What residents can do
Community groups are stepping up. The Coorow Housing Action Network, a volunteer‑run organisation, has launched a “Stay Local” campaign, encouraging residents to purchase and retain properties rather than sell to external investors. Workshops on financial literacy and home‑ownership pathways are being offered free of charge.
Legal advice clinics, funded by the state’s community legal service, are also assisting homeowners in navigating the complexities of land tax appeals. While success is not guaranteed, the support network aims to empower locals to challenge assessments that appear disproportionate.
Looking ahead
Experts warn that without decisive intervention, Coorow could become a cautionary tale for countless regional towns across Australia. Dr Sarah Mitchell, a housing economist at the University of Western Australia, notes, “The silent threat of policy‑driven affordability loss is spreading faster than we anticipated. If we don’t recalibrate tax structures and boost genuine supply, the rural housing crisis will deepen.”
State ministers have pledged to review the land tax framework in the upcoming budget, but for many Coorow residents the wait feels endless. In the interim, the community’s resilience and grassroots initiatives remain the town’s best hope of weathering the housing affordability crisis.