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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 10 Hansard (3 September) . . Page.. 2982 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

That is also the case in terms of discussions with the ACT community. We have a number of things going at present, including developing a full strategy in relation to all ACT housing. As Minister, I certainly would be delighted to get as much input as possible from everyone in the sector who wants to, in the lead-up to finalising the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement when it does finally come in.

You talked about a number of essential needs in housing such as community housing and crisis accommodation. One thing that is actually increasing, as the Chief Minister would know, is housing specifically catering for the disabled, to assist them with their needs. All those things are important; all those things, under this Government, will certainly continue. Indeed, in respect of the last example I gave, that of the disabled, I think you will get a few pleasant surprises. I think that needs to be said.

Under the current Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement ACT Housing does manage some 12,500 public rental properties. They have an estimated total value of $1.4 billion - a substantial asset. At this point in time, approximately 11.5 per cent of current housing stock in the ACT is public housing. This is high, and it is high historically and compared with most other States and Territories. For example, in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria the proportion is below 7 per cent. Much of our current public housing stock in the ACT reflects the provision by the Commonwealth of housing for public servants transferred to the ACT in the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. One of the incentives to attract employees to the ACT was that a public rental dwelling would be available. In many cases children have since grown up and have left home, and that has left one or two older people in a three- or four-bedroom family home.

The average age of our stock is 23 years, and the average capital value of the stock, in current figures, is around $90,000. For historic reasons, there are currently significant pockets in some suburbs. Yarralumla has some 15 per cent public housing, with an average age of 41 years; Ainslie, has 32 per cent public housing, with an average age of 45 years.

There have been a number of different studies which have assessed the level of housing-related need in the ACT, using a range of assumptions and methodologies.

MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Stefaniak, it being 5.00 pm, I have to propose the question:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Mr Stefaniak: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

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