Page 1980 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 June 2015
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continue to do so if that is their preference. Tenants being relocated as part of the renewal program who want to remain close to the city centre will be offered appropriate accommodation in sites within the 800-metre Northbourne Avenue corridor, in the inner north and the city centre and other locations, considering their preferences and needs.
This renewal program certainly has its challenges but these challenges are far exceeded by the possibilities for the ACT community and the tenants of these new homes. In anyone’s calculations, relocating more than a thousand tenants is a big job. We all know that moving house can be daunting. The government is committed to working with each and every affected tenant to make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible.
I am disappointed that members opposite are not joining us in this task and are putting the best interests of the tenants before their own political goals. Instead of showing leadership and assisting the tenants through a smooth transition to a better home, the Canberra Liberals are more interested in spreading fear and division across the public housing community and the new neighbourhoods that the tenants will be moving into.
On the other hand, the government, though Housing ACT, are talking with our tenants about their individual housing needs and where they would like to live. In fact, a number of the tenants who lived on Northbourne Avenue in Owen flats have already moved into new homes. One of the tenants at Owen flats indicated that they would like to live in Belconnen. When a home was offered in Belconnen, that tenant actually went, “You know what? This isn’t where I really want to live. I actually want to live closer to the city.” So we were able to accommodate that person’s needs and they have been able to move into a new home that meets their needs and that they preferred to move to.
It is incorrect to say that the government are not listening to public housing tenants. We are absolutely doing that and will continue to do that through this process. We are doing this work with a number of community organisations. We know full well what a house move can mean. It can mean new neighbours, new shops, new bus routes, new medical services and new schools, for a start. For many, the move will be a chance to get closer to the amenities that they need or to be closer to family, friends and social activities.
The government are working through the different individual preferences of all our tenants and working together with them on how, when and where they want to move and about how we will be able to assist them when they do. These tenants will be relocated in areas of their choice and we are mindful of their particular needs. Many may move into new housing to be constructed whilst others may choose to relocate closer to existing family supports elsewhere in Canberra, similar to the situation that I have just described.
The needs and preferences of tenants will inform this process and all tenants will be closely consulted throughout the process now and into the future. This process is already underway, and last year’s relocation of tenants at the Dickson flats saw a number of people request and receive moves to different parts of Canberra.
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