❓ A parliamentary question addresses overcrowding in Aboriginal communities in Halls Creek, focusing on the progress of refurbishment and construction projects. The Minister's response details completed actions, ongoing consultations, and timelines for future work, highlighting community involvement and inter-agency collaboration.
AnsweredQoN 434Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HALLS CREEK - ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
Given that it is exactly three months since the minister took her so-called fact-finding delegation to Halls Creek in response to revelations by The West Australian and the Nationals about gross overcrowding in homes, I ask - (1) What does the minister have to say to Aboriginal families in the town who are still living in chronically overcrowded housing? (2) Given the minister’s joint press release of 19 April with the Minister for Housing and Works, outlining a $3.8 million refurbishment program for 20 existing homes in Halls Creek, will the minister tell us precisely when those refurbishments will be carried out? (3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE
Given that it is exactly three months since the minister took her so-called fact-finding delegation to Halls Creek in response to revelations by The West Australian and the Nationals about gross overcrowding in homes, I ask - (1) What does the minister have to say to Aboriginal families in the town who are still living in chronically overcrowded housing? (2) Given the minister’s joint press release of 19 April with the Minister for Housing and Works, outlining a $3.8 million refurbishment program for 20 existing homes in Halls Creek, will the minister tell us precisely when those refurbishments will be carried out? (3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(1) What does the minister have to say to Aboriginal families in the town who are still living in chronically overcrowded housing? (2) Given the minister’s joint press release of 19 April with the Minister for Housing and Works, outlining a $3.8 million refurbishment program for 20 existing homes in Halls Creek, will the minister tell us precisely when those refurbishments will be carried out? (3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(2) Given the minister’s joint press release of 19 April with the Minister for Housing and Works, outlining a $3.8 million refurbishment program for 20 existing homes in Halls Creek, will the minister tell us precisely when those refurbishments will be carried out? (3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(1) What does the minister have to say to Aboriginal families in the town who are still living in chronically overcrowded housing? (2) Given the minister’s joint press release of 19 April with the Minister for Housing and Works, outlining a $3.8 million refurbishment program for 20 existing homes in Halls Creek, will the minister tell us precisely when those refurbishments will be carried out? (3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(2) Given the minister’s joint press release of 19 April with the Minister for Housing and Works, outlining a $3.8 million refurbishment program for 20 existing homes in Halls Creek, will the minister tell us precisely when those refurbishments will be carried out? (3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(3) Given that the minister raised expectations among Halls Creek townsfolk, why has there been a delay in advertising tenders for the construction of 10 houses in the town camp and three houses in the town’s garden area? (4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(4) Given that these proposed new dwellings are in existing serviced residential locations, will the minister provide a start date and a likely completion date for the 10 new houses? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
I thank the member for his question. I acknowledge the coordinated effort of the Shire of Halls Creek, the Western Australia Police and the departments of Housing and Works, Health, Community Development and Indigenous Affairs, which are working well together to expedite the commitments of the government after the Minister for Housing and Works, the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure and I visited Halls Creek. I thank the member for some notice of the question. I have been able to obtain a comprehensive answer from the Minister for Housing and Works. The Leader of the National Party slightly altered the question because originally it referred to the specific number of people sharing houses. The Department of Housing and Works has not revealed overcrowding levels anywhere near the extent originally suggested. It certainly accepts that there is overcrowding in Halls Creek. The specific answers are as follows - (1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(1) The department held a public meeting in Halls Creek on Wednesday, 21 June, to update public housing and town-based community residents on the progress to date of housing initiatives. While housing maintenance and standards were core issues, overcrowding, interestingly, was not raised by residents at that meeting. The department is responding to individual cases as they are brought to its attention. It is acknowledged that one home in Mardiwah Loop is experiencing high levels of overcrowding. The department is meeting with this family and the community next week to discuss this and the proposed new housing for the community. I am advised, as was the Minister for Housing and Works, that the residents were extremely satisfied with the outcome of the recent meeting. (2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(2) Surveys of 14 houses have been completed from which the scope for works tender documentation is being prepared. The tender for substantial upgrades to two houses is currently being advertised, so work is likely to commence in September. The intent is to progress eight major upgrades or refurbishments annually for the next three years. However, the Department of Housing and Works can proceed only as vacancies arise. The department will regularly update the community on its progress. (3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
(3) In relation to the housing for the town camps, the department has undertaken two rounds of consultation with the communities to determine the housing requirements and allocations between the Mardiwah Loop, Nicholson and Red Hill communities. Agreement has been reached for the provision of seniors housing in Nicholson, singles accommodation at Red Hill and eight family homes at Mardiwah Loop. Further consultation will be undertaken in the week commencing Monday, 3 July, with the Mardiwah Loop community to determine which family groups will receive priority and which specific lots will be developed. The community must determine these priorities - that is an important point to stress - before design consultations can commence. With respect to the four houses in the garden areas, tenders are currently being documented for one five-bedroom house, one four-bedroom house and two two-bedroom units. The tenders will be let in September, with completion scheduled for March 2007. (4) The new dwellings in the garden area will commence in September 2006. A commencement date for the town community dwellings will be determined once the consultation with the Mardiwah Loop community is finalised in the first week of July. With respect to new Homeswest and Government Employees’ Housing Authority housing in the proposed airport subdivision, the Department of Housing and Works will not be able to commence work until LandCorp has completed the subdivisions. At this stage it is anticipated that housing and works will commence some time between March and June 2007. I draw two points from that. The first is the importance of community consultation to make sure we get it right. Secondly, in my view, in the three months an enormous amount of work, planning, consultation and design has been undertaken. I congratulate the minister and the Department of Housing and Works for moving so quickly.
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