Question regarding the Department of Regional Development's (DRD) allocation of $2 million for staff accommodation in the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, specifically questioning why the Shire is allegedly required to build rather than buy houses. The answer clarifies that DRD hasn't received a formal request to purchase instead of build.

AnsweredQoN 1315Legislative Council
Asked
25 November 2014
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

DEPARTMENT
OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT — SHIRE OF DERBY–WEST KIMBERLEY STAFF
ACCOMMODATION
1315. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the provision of $2 million to supply
accommodation for Shire of Derby–West Kimberley staff members.
(1) Has the
Shire of Derby–West Kimberley been told it must use the money to build
houses rather than buy, even though there are many suitable properties for sale
in an oversupplied market?
(2) If yes to
(1), what is the reason for the Department of Regional Development's
insistence that the Shire of Derby–West Kimberley uses the money to
build rather than buy housing?
(3) Will the
minister consider altering the funding conditions in order to allow the Shire
of Derby–West Kimberley to purchase existing houses; and, if not, why
not?

AnswerView source ↗

(1) The
Department of Regional Development has not received a formal request by the
Shire of Derby–West Kimberley to use the funds allocated through the
country local government fund group round to purchase rather than build houses.
Through the 2012–13 CLGF funding round $3 827 368 was approved by
cabinet for the construction of dwellings in the Shire of Derby–West Kimberley,
Shire of Wyndham–East Kimberley and the Shire of Halls Creek for the
purpose of key worker housing through the Kimberley group of councils. The
Shire of Derby–West Kimberley was to receive $1 553 790 as its share of
the fund. On 22 October the secretariat of the Kimberley zone of Western
Australian Local Government Association wrote to DRD stating that the Shire of
Wyndham–East Kimberley no longer required the funding for key workers.
A request was made to redistribute the funds between the Shire of Derby–West
Kimberley and the Shire of Halls Creek. In the request for variation the
secretariat only refers to the construction of houses.
(2) The
request for this consideration has not been submitted to DRD. Such requests
should be made in writing through the lead proponent so that DRD can formally
respond. The lead proponent in this instance is the secretariat of the
Kimberley zone of WALGA, the Shire of Broome.
(3) The Shire of Derby–West Kimberley has not
requested the funding conditions be altered.

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