New homes currently being rolled out in Tennant Creek have not only created a building boom in town but have been welcomed by residents whose living conditions are now drastically improved.

The $7 million investment, delivered by the Territory Labor Government, include nine three-bedroom homes and four four-bedroom homes.

Local company GK Builders and Asbuild from Alice Springs each constructed five houses while Julalikari Council teamed up with another Alice Springs building company, Murray River North, to build three modular homes.

Works included demolition, construction, headworks, site servicing and transport costs with Tennant Creek locals benefitting from the jobs boost and injection into the economy through sub-contracts, the purchase of trade supplies and other financial flows.

Most of the houses are now occupied with tenants, many of whom have been waiting for housing for a long time.

Four single men have now moved into one of the new homes in Mulga Camp and a grandmother who cares for two of her grandchildren is living in another of the new homes at Karguru Camp.

Also, a young mother with four children now has a new home after waiting for more than a year and a couple with one child have moved into the first home they have ever lived in on their own.

Minister for Remote Housing Chansey Paech, who has been keeping a close eye on the progress of the housing, says the new homes in Tennant Creek are part of his Government’s plan to improve living conditions and ease overcrowding in towns and communities across the Territory.

“The Territory Labor Government has built more than a 100 new homes in the Barkly, from Wilora up to Borroloola and across to Alpurrurulam,” he said.

“We have upgraded around 125 homes in Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Borroloola, Nturiya, Robinson River and Tara, and there are more planned.

“Further, we are have added extra living spaces to 54 Barkly homes through our Room to Breathe program so far, and paved the way for even more housing through our land servicing program.”

Mr Paech said he was aware the Member for Barkly Steve Edgington had been attempting to claim credit for the homes being rolled out in Tennant Creek by posting misleading information on social media.

“While I’m pleased Mr Edgington is celebrating Labor’s successful housing program, I find his politicised publicity stunts both patronising and disrespectful to the tenants he has visited and I don’t think anyone has been fooled by his games,” he said.

“People know the Territory Labor Government has delivered these homes.

“We refurbished houses that had been locked up and left in disrepair and brought them back online.

“We have spent many millions through our housing and stimulus programs in Tennant Creek.

“We will continue to build and improve housing throughout the Territory because better housing is fundamental to better health, education, employment and social outcomes and we want our most vulnerable people to be able to lead better lives.”

This article appeared in the Tennant & District Times, 4 June 2021.