Kalgoorlie rammed earth project promises boost for Outback housing

A $1.

  • Tests on conventional and insulated rammed earth construction

  • Maintenance and energy efficiency targeted in wide-ranging study

A $1.2million housing project in urban Kalgoorlie could foreshadow the future of affordable and accessible Outback accommodation.

The Department of Housing has joined forces with the Australian Research Council, universities, designers and builders to run the two-home test site to evaluate rammed earth construction for remote areas

Visiting the homes today, Housing Minister Bill Marmion said rammed earth could help reduce costs by increasing the use of local labour and building materials.

"This is an exciting project," he said. "Many dwellings in remote Australian communities have high energy costs, so it is important we use sustainable materials and designs that are efficient to run, in our quest for more affordable housing."

The two newly completed, three-bedroom homes will not only boost the city's supply of social housing but will also test the thermal qualities of two different construction techniques.

One was built with traditional solid rammed earth walls while the other has walls with a core of polystyrene insulation.

The liveability of the homes will be scientifically monitored and compared over the next two and a half years, with the aim of certifying rammed earth as a Standards Australia energy efficient building material.

"The University of Western Australia has supplied the builder with specialised temperature sensors to monitor the buildings' performance," Mr Marmion said.

"Researchers are currently collecting baseline measures and temperature information, before the tenants move in during coming weeks."

Fact File

  • Project partners are the Department of Housing, the Australian Research Council, the University of Western Australia, Ramtec Pty Ltd, Scott Smalley Partnership Pty Ltd and Durham University, with the department and the ARC contributing $546,000 in research funding

  • The project aims to facilitate an Australian Standards code for the use of rammed earth construction

  • The builder was Murray River North

Minister's office - 6552 6800