30 November 2004
New Housing Security Service Starts in Alice Springs Tonight

John Ah Kit MLA
Minister for Housing

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Housing Minister John Ah Kit announced today a successful bid by local form, Shane Ride Security, for new “hot spot” security patrols covering public housing estates in Alice Springs.

“This new service will start at 6pm tonight, and will run 13 hours a night, seven days a week,” said Mr Ah Kit.

“I understand the legitimacy of many of the issues that have been raised by the people of Alice Springs living in private and public housing—and we are acting,” said Mr Ah Kit.

“A key feature of this service will be that the complainant will be able to make direct contact with the security patrol officers.

Further initiatives, in place or to be introduced, include:

• An Indigenous Community Liaison Officer who works closely with a range of organisations and service providers to assist tenants who are struggling.
• Two additional staff will be employed by January 2005 in the Alice Springs office to help tenants who are struggling with their tenancies.
• Closer liaison between Territory Housing, the NT Police and the Tangentyere Night Patrol service to target “hot spot” areas with public housing.
• Further development by a community working group to develop up a program for “urban living skills”. A number of community service providers are represented on this group and we are developing options which will be practical and useful for our tenants.
• Use by Territory Housing of Aboriginal Interpreter Service interpreters as to assist in raising the awareness of their responsibilities as a public housing tenant and good neighbour.
• A campaign amongst bush communities to raise awareness of tenants’ rights and responsibilities, and the behaviour expected of people visiting Arrernte country.

“We are acting where the previous government refused to.

“These problems have been developing over many years, yet the opposition brings out the same tired old ideas of selling off public housing, rather than seeking community-based solutions.

“In the last four years of their mismanagement of public housing in Alice Springs , they sold off 1760 bedrooms in Alice Springs —and did not replace a single room. Now there is talk is to do the same—selling off more homes, and selling out the people of Alice Springs .”

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