Workforce accommodation
Next study
Training and skills
EnergyCo understands housing is a key priority for communities in the New England region. EnergyCo carried out a study to understand current housing demand in the region and how this may be impacted by incoming workers needed for major infrastructure projects in and around the REZ.
The study investigated:
Current population and demographics in the region.
Estimated number of workers needed during construction and operation.
Current housing supply and anticipated demand.
Accommodation needs for non-local temporary and ongoing workers.
Key findings
The study found that accommodation will be needed for about 4,800 non-local construction workers for the New England REZ at peak construction. The unemployment rate across the study area ranges from about 1.8% to 3.2%. While there will be significant opportunities for local employment, due to this limited capacity in the local labour market, the study found that a significant proportion of workers will travel to the region – both on a temporary and permanent basis.
To accommodate this, temporary workforce camps will be needed to help minimise pressure on existing housing and short-term accommodation.
Accommodation camps will create investment opportunities for industry, including for local business. These camps will generate local jobs such as for catering, cleaning, facilities management and other important functions.
Workers will also need to access nearby towns for goods such as meals out, recreation, fuel and other conveniences. Through holistic planning, temporary workforce accommodation will provide opportunities for legacy housing benefits for communities.
What we learned
Population numbers across the study area have not changed a lot in the past 15 years, but Tamworth and Armidale have grown, Walcha has declined and Uralla has stayed around the same.
Housing demand is high, especially in regional centres including Tamworth and Armidale.
Rental vacancy rate is low at about 1.4% across the study area.
Housing is becoming less affordable as prices and rents rise faster than incomes.
Without demand from the REZ, around 3,380 new residential lots are planned and about 5,700 homes will be needed by 2039 due to population growth.
There will be demand for worker accommodation throughout the region, from Muswellbrook to Inverell. It is expected that the demand for temporary accommodation will be highest in Uralla, given its proximity to several renewable energy projects.
The study identifies that ideally workforce accommodation should be within about 45 minutes drive of a worksite for safety and efficiency.
Opportunities for REZ delivery
Providing dedicated temporary accommodation for workers can help reduce demand on existing local accommodation and housing, particularly when housing pressures are already being felt by communities throughout the New England region.
The REZ brings opportunities for legacy housing initiatives so that communities are left better than they were before construction.
The opportunities may include:
Building workforce accommodation that can later become permanent homes for the community, or provide utilities connections for future development.
Coordination between government and industry to provide accommodation solutions which aim to revitalise towns, bring more opportunities for local businesses and boost economic growth.
Coordinating workforce accommodation sites between projects in an area.
Help shape initiatives for your local area
EnergyCo is holding a community feedback period to hear your thoughts on local issues and priorities for REZ delivery.
Don’t miss the chance to submit your feedback by Friday 20 February, 2026.
Next steps
EnergyCo will consider the study findings in addition to community and stakeholder feedback. EnergyCo will then work with other government agencies, energy project developers and local councils to develop potential community benefit initiatives and strategies to manage impacts for the New England REZ.
EnergyCo will provide regular updates to the community on the progress of this work, including sharing the findings from the community feedback period in a report early next year.