Page 3989 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 17 November 2015
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government’s Department of Planning and Environment is preparing a report for the south-east and tablelands regions. A component of this work includes a study of the economic impact of the ACT’s housing market on the surrounding regional councils.
Under the ACT-New South Wales memorandum of understanding for regional collaboration that was signed by the then first ministers in 2011, the ACT and New South Wales are now sharing data that will assist New South Wales’s development of these regional growth areas. This work commenced with then ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and then New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell and continues with the support of current first ministers, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and New South Wales Premier Mike Baird.
The ACT government recognises that the challenge of delivering effective housing and homelessness services demands a joined-up and coordinated approach. The challenge is too great and the risks too large to allow a fragmented approach to this task. As the Minister for Housing I am committed to continuing to work with my New South Wales counterpart to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Canberra and the adjoining capital region.
Housing and homelessness issues are not just a matter for government; they affect the Canberra community at large, and our response to these matters defines the type of community we wish to be. Canberra is a socially inclusive community. We are a welcoming and diverse community and we value the colour, depth and greater understanding that this diversity provides. It is therefore appropriate that the ACT government should seek to harness the skills and experience of the private sector and local service providers in seeking to better meet the needs of the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.
A lot is already being done in these areas, for example, the new Common Ground housing project which opened in Gungahlin in July this year. Common Ground provides the coordinated delivery of stable accommodation with onsite support. It is a modern, purpose-built 40-unit complex that comprises a tenant mix of chronically homeless people and affordable renters—20 of each group—which provides a fine example of an inclusive community environment.
Another successful and innovative housing project is project independence. This new model of home ownership provides people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to acquire equity in a property as well as the ability to live as independently as possible. The ACT government has committed more than $3 million to the development of the Latham site to include the capacity for 10 residents, with additional space for a live-in coordinator and separate guest facilities. Work on the second project independence development in Harrison is now also well underway.
Both of these examples attest to the government’s commitment to pursue innovative housing options and new approaches. They also demonstrate the positive effects of working with our community and business partners to develop housing choices that better meet the needs of the most disadvantaged members of our community. The ACT government will continue to encourage innovative responses through partnerships and collaboration to make housing products available for more people on low and moderate incomes.
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