Mr GUNNER - 2010-11-24
- Can you please update the House on any developments in affordable housing in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Fannie Bay for his question. He and I were at the Wirrina redevelopment today to announce the successful proponent for the affordable rental housing company. The successful proponent is actually a consortium of Unity Housing Company from South Australia, and Housing Choices Australia, which is based in Melbourne.
Last week, I had the opportunity …
Mr Tollner: Could not find a Darwin house builder?
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: I am coming to that. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit both of these entities in Melbourne and Adelaide. I was mightily impressed by the developments they have undertaken. For instance, Housing Choices has an asset base of hundreds of millions of dollars; they are developing many properties. They are a registered charity, along with Unity Housing from South Australia.
What they will do in the Northern Territory is form a board which will have representatives. It will be a local company. We are relying on their expertise to build an affordable housing rental company within the Northern Territory, both in Darwin and Central Australia.
There will be at least three representatives of the Northern Territory on that board. Already, this afternoon, they are meeting with developers and other proponents in Darwin. They will also, over coming weeks, be making contact in Central Australia. This is a very important step in providing more affordable housing properties for rent for Territorians.
The phenomenal growth of these companies astounded me - 25% to 30% per annum. When I looked at the board members, as I am sure members opposite will - I am sure the member for Port Darwin will have a look at the people who are on the boards of these companies - there are some heavy hitters. There are senior partners in Mallesons, and people who are very experienced developers. These are people who are also giving their skills and talents to the community. I believe it is a wonderful thing for the Northern Territory. It will be a long journey. They will start with Wirrina; a property in Palmerston; and they will also start with seed funding of $300 000 from the Northern Territory government.
Madam Speaker, we have already started discussions about what other properties they may develop, what other entity …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Drysdale! Member for Fong Lim!
Dr BURNS: What I saw in Adelaide and Melbourne was these companies working with the private sector and undertaking their own developments. I was very pleased with what I saw in Melbourne and Adelaide, and I am sure it will be replicated in the Territory, albeit with a Territory version of it, and it will highly benefit Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016