From eyesore to elegant homes: Griffith’s Wakaden Street townhouses finally full

August 19, 2026

This Article was first published on Region Riverina on 19 August 2026. Click here to read the full article.

Four affordable housing townhouses on the corner of Wakaden and Crossing streets in Griffith are now fully tenanted — almost six years after the project was first announced.

The development was delayed by COVID-19, the principal contractor going into administration and, most recently, vandalism of the fire doors.

In 2020, Griffith City Council donated the land to not-for-profit Argyle Housing to build the two-storey, two-bedroom units next to the ambulance station.

It was one of several projects aimed at addressing the chronic rental shortage that was making it difficult for the town to attract skilled workers.

After some initial delays, construction eventually got underway, but stalled when Sydney-based principal contractor Greenwich Build Pty Ltd went into voluntary administration in early 2025.

Subcontractors were left unpaid and the unfinished site remained an eyesore on a key thoroughfare into the town for about 12 months, until the project was rescued by local builder Michael Dall’Est in December 2025.

His company made rapid progress and had the townhouses all but complete by June.

But there was another setback when the dwellings were vandalised in July, with a man allegedly kicking down the fire doors of two townhouses and plants allegedly being stolen.

The damage has now been repaired and all four units are providing much-needed housing for workers within walking distance of the town centre.

“We are incredibly pleased to officially launch the Wakaden Street townhouses for the Griffith community,” Argyle Housing CEO Carolyn Doherty said.

“Affordable housing continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing regional communities, and developments like this are critical in ensuring local residents have access to safe, secure and quality homes close to employment, education and essential services.”

The units are what’s known as affordable housing, with a community housing provider leasing them to eligible workers at 75 per cent of the market rent.

To be eligible, tenants must have secure employment and earn a low-to-moderate income.

Affordable housing is different from public housing, where eligible tenants on welfare generally pay about 25 per cent of their income in rent.

“This project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a shared vision for creating better housing outcomes for regional NSW,” Ms Doherty said.

“We would like to sincerely thank all the local contractors who have worked on this project, especially Michael Dall’Est from Dall’Est Constructions, for his professionalism and commitment to delivering a high-quality development, along with Anthony Kidman from Kidman Consulting for his expertise and support throughout the completion of this important development.

“Their collaboration and dedication have helped bring this important housing project to life for the Griffith community.”

Dall’Est Constructions also took over construction of a community hub supporting the Griffin Green housing development at Snaith Place in south Griffith, which was also left in limbo after Greenwich Build went into administration.

The hub, called Ngumbaaydyil, is expected to be completed within the next few weeks.