Page 1492 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 17 April 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
in the background and issues papers recently released by the national housing strategy. With the implementation of such a system, the Housing Trust would also be able to enter into a well-balanced construction program to build smaller townhouse-type accommodation which is currently in demand.
As it exists, there is an obvious abundance of traditional three- or four-bedroom houses within the Housing Trust stock. But, on the other hand, there is a lack of smaller sized accommodation, which reflects the current demand for one- or two-bedroom units, and also townhouses. (Extension of time granted)
If such a scheme were adopted by the Housing Trust - instead of it looking at an area such as Campbell and saying something like, "Okay, we can buy 20 properties here, so we can therefore sell 20 to our current tenants" - the Housing Trust could look at that area and say, "Let us buy some run-down properties, knock them down and build smaller, more cost efficient, energy efficient and environmentally friendly townhouses in this area". If this option were adopted, instead of selling 20 traditional three-bedroom houses to tenants and then buying 20 ready constructed traditional three-bedroom houses, the Housing Trust could replace its rental stock with more desirable accommodation which is currently in demand. Moreover, in switching from traditional quarter-acre blocks to townhouses, there exists the potential to increase the number of Housing Trust tenants in the inner city area. This, of course, would help to maintain a positive social mix in the central Canberra area, which is something we should strive for.
The Labor Opposition does not completely criticise the Minister for this plan that he has brought down. As I said earlier in my speech, we welcome the idea that Housing Trust people will be able to buy their houses. But, like many organisations around Canberra who are dealing with Housing Trust people from day to day, we will be watching very carefully what the Minister does. The Labor Opposition would like to commend the Housing Trust on the very good work that it has done in the past, is doing now and, I am quite sure, will do in the future.
Unfortunately, the Housing Trust does not have the last say. As I said earlier in this speech, the Minister is the man who makes the decision. What I am saying in this speech is that we are watching, Mr Minister, and we will be keeping an eye not on the Housing Trust but on you. As you said earlier, where I am, there is always trouble. They do not call me Red Adair Grassby for nothing, Mr Minister.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .