Jobless rate on the rise in Katanning

Katanning has consistently had one of the highest unemployment rates in the Great Southern region since 2008, and statistics show that these numbers are continuing to increase, causing further problems in town.

According to the new Katanning workforce development plan 2015-2018 released in June this year, Katanning's unemployment rate in 2013 was an estimated 9.5 per cent, compared to only 4.8 per cent in 2008.

The average number of unemployed residents in Katanning has more than doubled from 117 in December 2008 to 249 in 2013, resulting in people unable to afford housing, forcing them into homelessness.

Katanning Regional Emergency Accommodation Centre manager Karen Moore said over the past 12 months the statistics had increased with more people taking advantage of the centre.

"People think that because they don't see boxes in the street there is no homelessness," she said.

"Many of the people that come in can't find work; there are not enough jobs that suit their needs because they are over the age limit or have kids.

"More employment would help and they say more jobs are coming up, but services seem to be constantly closing down, which means more time waiting for others to open.

"If this trend continues … then people are going to get into a lot of trouble."

Shire president Alan McFarland said Katanning's unemployment rates were high.

"The root cause is endemic, but we are working on the long term to try and create the environment for people to come in and set up small businesses or larger secondary businesses," he said.

Since its inception in 2011, the Great Southern Workforce Development Alliance has worked towards implementing 10 achievable priority actions through the Katanning Workforce Development Plan, to address issues such as low labour force participation and high unemployment rates among Aboriginal people.

A spokesperson said there had been some developments including the Katanning Early Childhood Hub and A Language Learning Centre, and future actions would include a joint Shire, business and Aboriginal leadership committee to raise workforce participation.