Page 1404 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 13 May 2014
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invested in HIP construction projects, not including support and coordination. By investing in our people, new health facilities and the latest technology the HIP will deliver to the people in the ACT the right services in the right place where they need them, and stimulate economic and workforce growth well into the future.
Public housing is also vital to the social fabric of the Canberra community. For many Housing ACT tenants on low incomes who have experienced social exclusion, disadvantage and other complex issues, public housing is just not a house. Like for everyone, it is their home, a place where people can close their front door and feel secure. For tenants, public housing is one way in which people improve their social and economic participation in the Canberra community.
However, public housing is also a vital component of the territory’s infrastructure. Overall, the public housing stock in the ACT is approximately eight per cent of the total housing stock spread across the ACT. As a result of this history of relocation of public servants and the ACT government’s long-term commitment to public housing, the ACT has the highest proportion of public housing stock per capita of any jurisdiction.
In 2012–13 approximately 24,526 people were provided with affordable and secure accommodation in public housing through 11,577 tenancies. These public housing properties are salt and peppered throughout nearly every suburb in Canberra, ensuring that people are situated near public transport, schools, community and other facilities, and their community networks.
This is a remarkable investment in the lives of Canberra’s most vulnerable people which bucks the national trend to reduce public housing numbers. It reflects the government’s commitment to supporting those with the greatest need through the provision of affordable and stable housing and the life opportunities which flow from that stable housing. Housing ACT’s capital program funds replacement properties and upgrades to and refurbishments of properties to maintain their standard and to improve their amenity for tenants.
The upgrade program includes a range of works to improve the energy efficiency and liveability of the dwellings, particularly through building shell improvements. Many measures aim to lower energy consumption, thus reducing tenants’ energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT. Under the capital program 127 dwellings were acquired during the year, 117 of which were delivered through the construction program. The investment not only improves the public housing portfolio; it creates confidence in the community and ensures jobs in the construction industry and associated industries.
In addition to health and housing infrastructure, there are many important infrastructure projects underway in the territory. Large projects such as the Majura Parkway, expansion of the Alexander Machonochie Centre and the upgrade of Constitution Avenue all highlight this government’s commitment to improving, maintaining and developing the infrastructure that Canberra needs. Other important projects include a new school at Coombs, the Gungahlin Leisure Centre and south
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