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The Northern Territory government has outlined a “record commitment” for remote housing across the Top End.
More than $690 million worth of works are included in the infrastructure program, which aims to improve housing outcomes “across the board”, as outlined in the territory’s 2022 budget.
At least 260 new homes will reportedly be built based on the funding, while a minimum of 200 serviced lots will also be constructed.
More than $300 million has been allocated to a “Remote Housing Investment Packages”, which will service HomeBuild NT, Room to Breathe, and Government Employee Housing, while another $235.8 million will go towards land servicing in support of the Remote Housing Investment Package.
Elsewhere, $150 million will be spent on ongoing works to both build new homes – and improve existing houses – through the national Remote Housing partnership agreements, as funded by the Commonwealth, while $9.3 million is set to go towards the construction and upgrade of Government Employee Housing, for teachers.
According to Minister for Remote Housing and Town Camps Chansey Paech, “this significant investment, which includes contributions from both the territory and Australian governments, will be the biggest spend within the program so far and sets a record for the Northern Territory”.
Mr Paech explained: “Our investment in housing is fundamental to better outcomes across the board and the cornerstone of economically viable, skilled communities.
“The new financial year comes with exciting prospects for our remote housing program, and I’m looking forward to seeing many of our projects come to fruition.”
The minister said the latest spending statement builds on more than $999.6 million worth of housing and related infrastructure heralded in since 2016 – allowing for more than 2,380 homes to be built, upgraded and improved across remote areas of the Northern Territory.
Not only have the housing schemes enabled the provision of sustainable jobs due to contract periods lasting between three and five years, but Mr Paech also said the funding has represented “a significant transfer of power to remote Aboriginal communities”, with select tenders offered to locally based Aboriginal Business Enterprises.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
