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Minister for Housing Rob Knight today inspected renovation work underway in Alice Springs as part of the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

Eighteen dwellings have already been renovated in Alice Springs and two new homes will soon be constructed – delivering real results for Central Australia.

 

“This investment is protecting Territory jobs, the economy and boosting public housing stock,” Mr Knight said.

 

“Practical steps are being taken by the Territory and Australian Governments to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis by supporting jobs in the construction sector."

 

Earlier this year the Territory received more than $11 million under the stimulus package, to upgrade and construct Territory Housing properties.

 

More than $4 million is being invested to upgrade existing Territory Housing properties across the NT.  At least 233 dwellings have now been upgraded Territory wide or have had their common areas upgraded.

 

In Alice Springs work is currently underway on the Len Tuit units at Head Street where four units have already received solar hot water replacements and evaporative coolers have been replaced.  Work is now underway on a fifth unit.

 

Mr Knight said the renovations were improving existing stock and bringing stock back on line to assist Territory families in need.

 

"New housing is also needed and under Stage One of the Stimulus Package the Territory Government welcomed $7.1 million dollars in funding for social housing construction," Mr Knight said.

 

“The funding injection will see 22 new homes constructed across the Territory, helping meet our housing needs.

 

“The design work is underway for the construction of three 4-bedroom houses - two in Alice Springs and one in Tennant Creek.

 

“The contractor is in the process of applying for approval to demolish old dwellings on the site. The two houses will then be constructed before moving on to build one house in Tennant Creek." 

 

The Territory Government is committed to working in partnership with the Rudd Government and have put forward a range of projects for more than 200 new homes under the final stage of Operation Stimulus.

 

Media contact: Katie Woolf 0420 972 505