Mr HATTON - 1998-10-13
On behalf of some of the citizens of Nhulunbuy, recognising that somebody ought to ask questions on their behalf, concerns were, . .
Members interjecting.
Mr HATTON: … in recent months, …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HATTON: … expressed by non-rebated public housing tenants in Nhulunbuy about what the rental levels are going to be for their homes come January, with the implementation of the new commercial rent policy for non-rebated tenants.
Perhaps the minister can explain exactly what is going to happen to the people of Nhulunbuy and what’s been put in place to address these concerns.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for taking a keen interest as former resident of Nhulunbuy. But I will say that the member for Nhulunbuy also has shown a keen interest in this subject for particular reasons of his own.
When I first announced the government’s Housing 2003 initiative earlier this year, we were conscious that there would be a need for flexibility in bedding down and implementing the whole program. It was certainly identified some time ago, just after the implementation, that a few regional centres would have particular circumstances that would need further consideration.
I will just remind people listening, and members in the House, that the driving force behind the Housing 2003 program is to ensure that, as we enter the next century, there is affordable and fair housing available to Territorians and certainly for Territorians who need the assistance. That assistance will be available under this program, and they will certainly continue to enjoy the most affordable housing in the country, particularly, our senior Territorians.
Tenants who are not rebated, that is that they have income levels that allow them to afford private market rent and also they do not receive assistance, have the option, as we know, of either purchasing the home that they are in, the current public house, or moving to private rent or indeed, come 1 January next year, paying private market rents for the house that they are currently in. The issue for Nhulunbuy tenants of course is that, as the member for Nhulunbuy would know very well, the market rents over there are considerably higher than in other regional centres. That is because of the limited availability of land for building purposes and certainly the small private rental market that is available over there. Rents for a 3-bedroom house can be as high as $500 a week.
Some months ago I asked the Australian Valuation Office to do an assessment of the rental situation in Nhulunbuy. I am pleased to announce today that in Nhulunbuy the rents for non-rebated public housing tenants will be based on an average of rents across the Territory, that is, they will be in line with other Territory regional centres, including Darwin.
I believe that is good news for residents of Nhulunbuy, and I hope the member for Nhulunbuy thinks so too. It will certainly assist our government employees over there, and other non-rebated tenants who live in our houses, so that they are not unduly affected because of the higher rents that do exist in Gove. Just to give you an example, which might be of interest, a 1-bedroom flat will move from about $92 a week currently to $110, and a 3-bedroom house will move from around $140 to $205.
I plan to ask the Australian Valuation Office to conduct these rental assessments in every regional centre once a year so that we can keep track of what is happening with trends. In closing, this government will continue to provide good housing for public tenants that is fair and equitable and among the most affordable in Australia. I thank the department staff and the AVO for the assessments they have done to make sure that trend continues to be the case.
Members interjecting.
Mr HATTON: … in recent months, …
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HATTON: … expressed by non-rebated public housing tenants in Nhulunbuy about what the rental levels are going to be for their homes come January, with the implementation of the new commercial rent policy for non-rebated tenants.
Perhaps the minister can explain exactly what is going to happen to the people of Nhulunbuy and what’s been put in place to address these concerns.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nightcliff for taking a keen interest as former resident of Nhulunbuy. But I will say that the member for Nhulunbuy also has shown a keen interest in this subject for particular reasons of his own.
When I first announced the government’s Housing 2003 initiative earlier this year, we were conscious that there would be a need for flexibility in bedding down and implementing the whole program. It was certainly identified some time ago, just after the implementation, that a few regional centres would have particular circumstances that would need further consideration.
I will just remind people listening, and members in the House, that the driving force behind the Housing 2003 program is to ensure that, as we enter the next century, there is affordable and fair housing available to Territorians and certainly for Territorians who need the assistance. That assistance will be available under this program, and they will certainly continue to enjoy the most affordable housing in the country, particularly, our senior Territorians.
Tenants who are not rebated, that is that they have income levels that allow them to afford private market rent and also they do not receive assistance, have the option, as we know, of either purchasing the home that they are in, the current public house, or moving to private rent or indeed, come 1 January next year, paying private market rents for the house that they are currently in. The issue for Nhulunbuy tenants of course is that, as the member for Nhulunbuy would know very well, the market rents over there are considerably higher than in other regional centres. That is because of the limited availability of land for building purposes and certainly the small private rental market that is available over there. Rents for a 3-bedroom house can be as high as $500 a week.
Some months ago I asked the Australian Valuation Office to do an assessment of the rental situation in Nhulunbuy. I am pleased to announce today that in Nhulunbuy the rents for non-rebated public housing tenants will be based on an average of rents across the Territory, that is, they will be in line with other Territory regional centres, including Darwin.
I believe that is good news for residents of Nhulunbuy, and I hope the member for Nhulunbuy thinks so too. It will certainly assist our government employees over there, and other non-rebated tenants who live in our houses, so that they are not unduly affected because of the higher rents that do exist in Gove. Just to give you an example, which might be of interest, a 1-bedroom flat will move from about $92 a week currently to $110, and a 3-bedroom house will move from around $140 to $205.
I plan to ask the Australian Valuation Office to conduct these rental assessments in every regional centre once a year so that we can keep track of what is happening with trends. In closing, this government will continue to provide good housing for public tenants that is fair and equitable and among the most affordable in Australia. I thank the department staff and the AVO for the assessments they have done to make sure that trend continues to be the case.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016