❓ Mr. Stephens inquires about the Environmental Health Report from the Balgo community, and the Minister details actions taken to address housing and sewerage issues in Balgo, Mulan and Billiluna, including contracts awarded for infrastructure upgrades, housing refurbishments, and a Homemaker Program.
AnsweredQoN 827Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Has the Minister received a copy of the Environmental Health Report from Palyalatju Maparnpa Health Committee from the Balgo community in the Kimberley?
(2) What steps has the Minister taken to address the serious housing and sewerage system maintenance issues raised in this report?
(2) What steps has the Minister taken to address the serious housing and sewerage system maintenance issues raised in this report?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 June 2009
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
34 days
(1) Yes.
(2) In Balgo, the following actions have been taken to address many of the issues identified in the Report:
· Awarded a $1.2 million contract in March 2009 to replace the sewer main, sewer access chambers, repair manholes and install gas release valves. Estimated completion is end of August 2009.
· Commenced work to develop a Water Source Protection and Management Plan and investigative works to identify and repair underground leaks in the current water supply infrastructure. Estimated cost $50,000.
· Allocated $111,000 to undertake an initial analysis and scoping exercise as part of a planned upgrade of the power network. Final estimated cost in the order of $1.85 million.
· Removed the used oils and coolants previously stored at Balgo.
· Six houses to be refurbished, including the addition of purpose-built wet areas to improve the performance and amenity of the houses to a standard comparable with newly constructed dwellings. Project scoping has begun and works will commence mid June 2009. Estimated cost $1.2 million.
· Two additional pensioner units are being refurbished. Estimated cost $250,000.
· Five new houses are planned to replace existing non-repairable housing stock (including a house destroyed by fire). The Department is working in partnership with the University of Western Australia to encourage an innovative approach to housing design. To be completed in 2010. Estimated cost $2.3 million.
Within the Tjurabalan, the following actions have been taken to address issues identified in the Report:
· Implemented a new approach to the management of the houses in these communities. The Halls Creek office of the Department of Housing has appointed two additional officers and now has direct management responsibility for housing in the communities. Urgent plumbing and electrical works have now been carried out in the majority of properties. 35 dwellings identified with and estimated cost of $25,000.
· A Homemaker Program will be implemented at the Balgo, Mulan and Billiluna communities in 2009. The aim of the program is to improve domestic hygiene and to teach residents the skills to maintain healthy homes. Each community is purchasing cleaning kits for household use. Over 200 hundred kits ordered with an estimated cost of $17,000.
In Mulan:
· Awarded a contract in April 2009 to rectify identified problems with the water supply at the Mulan community to address the safety issues with the current water tank and install a new tank. Estimated cost $377,000.
· 14 new septic tanks are being delivered to the Mulan community. Estimated cost $105,000.
In Billiluna:
· Awarded a contract in August 2008 to upgrade the water supply system at the Billiluna community. The water infrastructure was largely completed in April 2009 but was delayed due to the wet season. Estimated completion date is 30 June 2009. Estimated cost $320,000.
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(2) In Balgo, the following actions have been taken to address many of the issues identified in the Report:
· Awarded a $1.2 million contract in March 2009 to replace the sewer main, sewer access chambers, repair manholes and install gas release valves. Estimated completion is end of August 2009.
· Commenced work to develop a Water Source Protection and Management Plan and investigative works to identify and repair underground leaks in the current water supply infrastructure. Estimated cost $50,000.
· Allocated $111,000 to undertake an initial analysis and scoping exercise as part of a planned upgrade of the power network. Final estimated cost in the order of $1.85 million.
· Removed the used oils and coolants previously stored at Balgo.
· Six houses to be refurbished, including the addition of purpose-built wet areas to improve the performance and amenity of the houses to a standard comparable with newly constructed dwellings. Project scoping has begun and works will commence mid June 2009. Estimated cost $1.2 million.
· Two additional pensioner units are being refurbished. Estimated cost $250,000.
· Five new houses are planned to replace existing non-repairable housing stock (including a house destroyed by fire). The Department is working in partnership with the University of Western Australia to encourage an innovative approach to housing design. To be completed in 2010. Estimated cost $2.3 million.
Within the Tjurabalan, the following actions have been taken to address issues identified in the Report:
· Implemented a new approach to the management of the houses in these communities. The Halls Creek office of the Department of Housing has appointed two additional officers and now has direct management responsibility for housing in the communities. Urgent plumbing and electrical works have now been carried out in the majority of properties. 35 dwellings identified with and estimated cost of $25,000.
· A Homemaker Program will be implemented at the Balgo, Mulan and Billiluna communities in 2009. The aim of the program is to improve domestic hygiene and to teach residents the skills to maintain healthy homes. Each community is purchasing cleaning kits for household use. Over 200 hundred kits ordered with an estimated cost of $17,000.
In Mulan:
· Awarded a contract in April 2009 to rectify identified problems with the water supply at the Mulan community to address the safety issues with the current water tank and install a new tank. Estimated cost $377,000.
· 14 new septic tanks are being delivered to the Mulan community. Estimated cost $105,000.
In Billiluna:
· Awarded a contract in August 2008 to upgrade the water supply system at the Billiluna community. The water infrastructure was largely completed in April 2009 but was delayed due to the wet season. Estimated completion date is 30 June 2009. Estimated cost $320,000.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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