Delivering High-Quality Housing for Essential Workers

The Kununurra GROH project successfully delivered six high-quality, climate-resilient homes for government employees, ensuring they have a safe, comfortable, and functional place to live. These homes are a vital part of the Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) program, which helps to attract and retain essential workers such as teachers, nurses, police officers, and child protection workers in remote areas.

Our Approach to Remote, Sustainable Construction

At WABi Systems, we focus on smart, efficient building solutions that are built for the realities of regional Australia. Prefabricated modular construction allows us to deliver high-quality homes faster, with better cost control and greater durability—key factors when building in remote locations like Kununurra. The GROH project is a strong example of how well this approach works, combining practical design, robust construction, and a deep understanding of local conditions to create housing that meets both immediate and long-term needs.

We’ll take a closer look at how we approached this project, from designing homes that can handle Kununurra’s tough climate to working with local trades and delivering sustainable, low-maintenance housing.

Quick Summary of the Project

  • Project Scope: Delivery of six GROH homes in Kununurra for the Department of Communities WA.
  • Housing Types:
    • One 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit (103 sqm)
    • Five 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom units (157 sqm each)
  • Construction Methodology: Prefabricated modular system for faster build times and superior quality control.
  • Climate-Resilient Design: Homes feature thermal insulation, raised structures for airflow, and durable materials to handle extreme weather conditions.
  • Community Impact: Built using local labour, supporting the economy and providing valuable trade experience.
  • Government Support: Part of the GROH program, ensuring essential workers have secure, high-quality housing in remote WA.

Addressing Housing Shortages for Essential Workers

In regional towns like Kununurra, the availability of quality housing for essential workers is a critical factor in ensuring that vital public services continue to function effectively. Without suitable accommodation, attracting and retaining teachers, nurses, police officers, and child protection workers becomes increasingly difficult.

The Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) program plays a crucial role in bridging this gap, providing high-quality housing for government employees in remote and regional WA. WABi Systems’ Kununurra GROH project directly contributes to this mission by delivering six purpose-built homes designed to support long-term workforce retention and community stability.

This initiative aligns with the WA Government’s commitment to investing in regional communities, ensuring that residents have access to education, healthcare, and law enforcement services—all of which are essential to the development and well-being of remote towns like Kununurra.

Project Scope and Housing Breakdown

The Kununurra GROH project consists of six homes, specifically designed to cater to the diverse needs of government employees and their families. Each home offers modern, functional spaces that prioritise comfort, durability, and climate resilience.

Breakdown of Housing Types

  • One 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home (103 sqm) – ideal for single occupants or couples.
  • Five 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom homes (157 sqm each) – designed to accommodate families or multiple occupants.

Kununurra homes

Key Features of the Homes

  • Spacious layouts to enhance liveability and comfort.
  • Energy-efficient design to minimise environmental impact and reduce operational costs.
  • Durable materials suited for the challenging Kimberley climate.
  • Low-maintenance structures, ensuring longevity with minimal upkeep.

Each home was strategically designed to not only meet the immediate housing needs of government employees but also to provide a long-term solution that supports sustainable community growth.

With a clear understanding of regional housing needs, WABi Systems has delivered more than just homes—we have provided a foundation for strong, well-supported communities.

The WABi Difference – Smarter Construction for Remote Living

Prefabricated Construction – Faster, Stronger, More Efficient

Building in remote locations like Kununurra comes with unique challenges—unpredictable weather, supply chain delays, and limited access to skilled labour. Traditional construction methods can be costly and time-consuming, making it difficult to deliver projects efficiently.

At WABi Systems, we overcome these challenges with prefabricated modular construction, an innovative approach that ensures faster build times, superior quality control, and reduced on-site disruptions. For the Kununurra GROH project, this method allowed us to:

  • Reduce construction time – By manufacturing key building components off-site in a controlled environment, we streamlined the on-site assembly process.
  • Ensure precision and quality – Prefabrication minimises errors and material wastage, guaranteeing a higher standard of workmanship.
  • Minimise logistical challenges – Transporting prebuilt components to site meant fewer delays caused by supply chain issues.

This off-site manufacturing approach is ideal for remote housing projects, ensuring that essential government workers can move into high-quality, durable homes without unnecessary delays.

Built to Withstand Kununurra’s Climate

Kununurra experiences extreme weather conditions, with scorching hot dry seasons and heavy rainfall during the wet season. To ensure the homes remain comfortable and energy-efficient year-round, we incorporated climate-responsive design elements:

Thermal Insulation for Year-Round Comfort

Each home features WABi Systems panels’ R3.3 thermal insulation, reducing heat absorption and maintaining cooler indoor temperatures. This ensures a more comfortable living environment and helps lower energy consumption for air conditioning.

Raised Structures for Ventilation and Flood Protection

  • Homes are elevated above ground level, improving natural cross-ventilation.
  • Raised structures help mitigate risks associated with heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
  • This design choice enhances airflow and cooling, reducing reliance on artificial cooling systems.

Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials

  • We selected weather-resistant materials that can withstand the region’s intense heat, humidity, and storms.
  • Steel framing and durable cladding provide long-term structural integrity.
  • Low-maintenance finishes ensure the homes remain functional and aesthetically pleasing with minimal upkeep.

Kitchen in Kununurra home

These design features ensure that the homes are built to last, offering a safe, comfortable, and cost-effective housing solution for essential workers in Kununurra.

With smart construction techniques and climate-adaptive design, WABi Systems has delivered housing that truly meets the needs of regional communities.

Strengthening Local Communities

At WABi Systems, we believe that regional construction projects should do more than just provide housing—they should also contribute to the growth and resilience of local communities. A key aspect of the Kununurra GROH project was ensuring that the benefits of the development extended beyond the homes themselves.

Supporting Local Trades and Workforce Growth

  • The project was built using local labour, creating employment opportunities and supporting local businesses.
  • By working with regional tradespeople and suppliers, we helped strengthen the local economy.
  • The project provided valuable training and experience, equipping local workers with skills that will benefit future construction initiatives in the region.

By investing in regional workforce development, this project not only delivered high-quality housing but also boosted long-term economic stability in Kununurra.

Sustainable, Low-Maintenance Housing for the Future

A key focus of the project was ensuring long-term sustainability. Remote housing should be easy to maintain, energy-efficient, and cost-effective, reducing strain on both residents and the government.

  • Energy-efficient design minimises running costs and reduces environmental impact.
  • Durable, low-maintenance materials extend the lifespan of the homes.
  • Smart construction methods ensure the homes remain functional and resilient for years to come.

By prioritising sustainability and efficiency, WABi Systems has delivered homes that will serve essential workers and the Kununurra community well into the future.

A Smarter Way to Build Regional Housing

The Kununurra GROH project is a testament to WABi Systems’ expertise in delivering durable, efficient, and climate-smart housing in remote areas. Through innovative prefabricated construction, we overcame the challenges of regional building, ensuring a faster, high-quality, and cost-effective solution for essential workers.

By integrating climate-adaptive design and low-maintenance materials, we have created homes that provide comfort, longevity, and sustainability—ensuring residents can live and work in Kununurra with confidence.

Most importantly, this project has contributed to the growth of the local workforce, demonstrating our commitment to building not just homes, but stronger communities.

Ready to Build?

If you’re looking for innovative, climate-resilient housing solutions, WABi Systems has the expertise to deliver. Get in touch today to discuss how we can help bring your next project to life.