Gilmore’s Housing Crisis Needs More Than a Possible Rate Cut
A potential interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) on February 18 may provide some relief to mortgage holders, but real solutions are needed to address the underlying housing affordability crisis, says Kate Dezarnaulds, Independent candidate for Gilmore.
“While I welcome the relief an interest rate drop would bring to Gilmore residents suffering significant mortgage stress, a reduction in interest rates will not solve the lack of affordable housing available for residents, nor will it solve the cost-of-living crisis,” said Dezarnaulds.
“The focus should be on smarter, community-driven housing strategies that ensure stability and affordability for everyone—whether they are renters, first-home buyers, lifelong renters, or established homeowners. When essential workers, young families, and retirees struggle to find stable housing, it puts pressure on services, businesses, and local economies. This is a crisis that impacts us all.”
Gilmore’s Rental Squeeze is Hitting Hard
According to the SQM Weekly Rents Index (Feb 12, 2025)[1], rent for three-bedroom homes in the South Coast has risen 3.1% in a year and 2.1% last quarter, while two-bedroom units surged 4.7% annually and 8.5% in the last quarter.
The pressure is mounting:
- 6% of Gilmore households face financial stress, with 19.2% in mortgage stress and 91% in rental stress.[2]
- Vacancy rates remained critically low at 1.5% throughout 2024, intensifying rental competition.
- Essential workers are being priced out—only 2.2% of rentals are affordable for an ambulance worker, 1.5% for aged care workers, 1.4% for nurses, and less than 1% for early childhood educators and construction workers (Anglicare Australia 2024)[3].
- North Nowra, in Gilmore, is among 12 NSW suburbs scoring 100/100 on rental stress (Suburbtrends)[4].
“These figures are staggering—rents are out of control, and too many people simply can’t afford to stay in their communities,” said Kate Dezarnaulds. “Essential workers can’t live where they work, businesses struggle to find staff, and local economies suffer.”
Systemic Barriers to Housing Affordability
“When two-thirds of Australians rely on rising property values as their main investment, real housing reform is impossible without addressing that,” said Kate Dezarnaulds. “We need housing models that expand supply without threatening homeowners’ financial security. Public housing has dropped from 10% of new builds in the 70s and 80s to under 3% today, and 20,000 new homes over five years won’t cut it[5].”
Dezarnaulds also called for rental tax reform. “It’s fair to support ‘mum and dad’ investors, but taxpayers shouldn’t subsidise a fourth or fifth investment property,” she said.
Federal Leadership and the Value of an Independent Voice
As an independent candidate, Dezarnaulds is not beholden to party lines or corporate interests, allowing her to advocate for policies that genuinely reflect the needs of the community. She warns that simply ‘building more homes’ often benefits developers rather than addressing affordability.
“There is no single solution to the housing crisis, but independent representation can ensure that the voices of local residents are heard at the federal level. Federal leadership is needed to drive policies that create meaningful change,” said Dezarnaulds. “We need a national approach that improves affordability for renters, first-home buyers, and those seeking long-term security.”
Some areas that should be explored in partnership with the community at the federal level include:
- Tax incentives and funding support for build-to-rent developments to increase the supply of stable, long-term rental housing.
- Exploring shared-equity and public-private housing partnershipsto create more accessible homeownership pathways.
- Encouraging innovative housing solutions such as modular homes, tiny homes, and adaptable housing models to improve affordability and flexibility.
- Stronger protections for renters to prevent unfair rent hikes and short leases, ensuring more stability in the rental market.
“Housing affordability is about making sure that whether people rent for life, are trying to buy their first home, or are looking for stability in retirement, they have secure, affordable housing options,” said Dezarnaulds. “When people are forced to move away, we lose workers, businesses struggle, and local services suffer. We need real solutions that work for everyone.”
—ENDS—
About Kate Dezarnaulds and Her Campaign for Gilmore
Kate Dezarnaulds is an independent candidate for Gilmore, committed to delivering practical, community-driven solutions for the South Coast. A local business leader and advocate for regional investment, Kate is focused on fixing real issues, including improving infrastructure, strengthening local economies, and ensuring government funding reaches the people who need it.
Kate’s campaign is built on listening to the community, advocating for transparency, and working collaboratively to achieve meaningful change. She believes that Gilmore deserves a strong, independent voice in Canberra—one that puts people before politics.
For more information, visit kate4gilmore.com.au or follow Kate on socials: @kate4gilmore.
Authorised by Kate Dezarnaulds, Independent for South Coast Pty Ltd, 3/68 Albert St, Berry NSW 2535
[1] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1odVNdc0eclnB0caKmp-oIbFzIDuwKXDq/view?usp=sharing
[2] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-03/electorates-in-financial-stress-four-corners/104875102
[3] https://www.anglicare.asn.au/2024/10/16/essential-workers-are-being-priced-out-of-rentals/
[4] https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/new-data-reveals-new-south-wales-is-worst-state-for-rental-pain/news-story/508a2fa00ccb591fa6a47c32ebb4a91f
[5] https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-latest-data-shows-the-urgent-need-for-more-public-housing/