Better lives through better housing
Housing as the key to wellbeing
The constant challenge to ‘push the boundaries’ inspires John Savell in his work at a housing authority that strives to provide a range of housing options to support people as they work to improve their lives.
John started working with the Western Australian Government in 1980, and is currently Manager of the WA Housing Authority’s Major Projects Unit. His role includes overseeing urban design and strategic land planning, project management for governance and delivery, and project inception and evaluation.
John is also the current chair of the Essential Participants Reference Group, in the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC). “We’re pushing things forward,” he explains. “It’s very exciting, and that’s what got me involved with the CRCWSC. The ground-breaking research being conducted by the CRCWSC is also challenging the land developers to consider new and exciting ways to push the boundaries on sustainability in land development projects, rather than just sticking with a business-as-usual approach.”
Partnerships that knit knowledge and experience
As a key player in the Housing Authority’s success, John has some big wins under his belt. His background in commercial construction was an important factor in the WA Government’s successful delivery of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre – on time, and on budget. In 2004 he won the WA Public Servant of the Year award, for valuable contributions to this landmark project.
John is currently overseeing delivery of the Housing Authority’s Bentley Regeneration Project. This initiative, which includes the CRCWSC as a design and research partner, aims to turn a 25 hectare site controlled by the Housing Authority and the City of Canning into a desirable local neighbourhood. When completed, it will include at least 1,500 new medium- and high-density residential dwellings, along with civic and community facilities, open space, and commercial and retail opportunities.
“We are certainly facing great opportunities in this project,” John reflects, “and also some very large unanswered questions. It’s ground-breaking in that it seeks to implement some new ideas – such as green spines, green walls, walkability, pocket parks, and grey water reuse – on a much larger scale than has been done before.”
Spreading the word for better outcomes on the ground
After three years working in partnership with the CRCWSC, John is now a strong advocate for broader engagement within the Western Australian Government. “When I first got involved with the CRCWSC, it was a massive learning curve for me. But now, after three years, I understand that the CRCWSC provides us with an important ability to locate new solutions. In a lot of the problems we face, no one knows all the answers because the ideas are so new,” he says. “It’s fantastic to watch the researchers present their findings; and I think every time their research is adopted they would feel all their hard work is justified.”
Aiming high
But it doesn’t end there. “The provision of long-term stable accommodation to the Housing Authority’s eligible tenants is such an important part of improving the stability and wellbeing of our clients’ lives”, he continues. “Once people can find a house and get themselves together, everything starts to fall into place. It makes you feel proud to know that you work for an organisation that can provide meaningful and long-term benefits in our clients’ lives.”
An example of this is the Housing Authority’s Opening Doors program. Its target was to create 20,000 affordable homes by 2020; but that was achieved this year, five years in advance. The bar is now set even higher: to provide an additional 10,000 affordable homes by 2020.
Averil Bones for the Mind Your Way team.