The Hon. Selena Uibo, Minister for Housing and Homelands (NT), The Hon. Chansey Paech, Member for Gwoja (NT), Joint Media Release, 24 October 2023
A recently awarded remote housing contract supplements a pipeline of works across Central Australia worth $256 million.
The building blitz is rolling out across 33 communities and town camps in Alice Springs.
The most recent contract for $30 million was awarded to Pedersen NT to build more than 20 new homes across Luritja Pintubi country.
Works, which also include the upgrade and refurbishment of 18 homes, will transform the housing landscape in Kintore, Mount Liebig, Papunya, and Haasts Bluff.
Pedersen NT- an Alice Springs company that specialises in remote area construction – will employ locals in each community, and plans to sign up at least five apprentices.
The family-owned construction group has credibility in the bush where its team is working on a number of projects including adding extensions to 19 homes in Hermannsburg, with 14 already complete.
Rusca Developments is also on the ground in the community which was established as a Lutheran mission around 150 years ago. The six homes currently under construction will add to the pool of 42 new homes.
It’s just as busy at Laramba where Asbuild has finished building seven out of 11 homes. And at Santa Teresa where nine homes are under construction, while 14 families have already moved into their new homes.
Delivery of these much needed houses will help to alleviate overcrowding, with the Northern Territory and Australian Governments jointly funding housing through the $2.2 billion Remote Housing Investment Package to improve housing in remote communities.
Attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelands Selena Uibo:
“Since coming to Government in 2016, the Territory Labor Government has built more than 1200 new homes across the NT, and we have upgraded and improved close to 1700 homes.
“This is a massive achievement so far, and I know it has made a big difference to thousands of families in our remote communities.
“Our $2.2 billion remote housing program is reducing overcrowding, improving health and social outcomes, and supporting local economies.”
Attributable to Member for Gwoja Chansey Paech:
“It’s always exciting to see how happy families are to receive the keys to their new homes, and how much decent housing has improved the lives of people in the bush.
“Our communities have been involved with the planning, design, and allocation of the housing all the way through – beginning with new subdivisions through to completed homes.
“This has been a job-creating project which is building sustainable communities and better lives for our Aboriginal Territorians.”
Attributable to Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:
“These new homes will ease overcrowding, which we know is a major barrier to closing the gap.
“The Albanese Government is committed to improving housing as an important practical step to delivering a better future for Indigenous communities in the NT.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering for Indigenous Australians and driving progress on closing the gap.”
Attributable to Marion Scrymgour MP, Member for Lingiari:
“Better access to good, safe housing is important to improving the lives of Aboriginal Territorians.
“That’s why the Albanese Government is making better housing for Aboriginal people a top priority.”
