Page 252 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 February 2016
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remove affected properties safely and efficiently. As I said before, 77 properties have now been demolished.
This is a program which, at its heart, is about supporting those most directly affected. This has and continues to occur. Properties which were being valued by banks for less than 80 per cent of the unimproved land value prior to the government’s response were purchased through the voluntary buyback program at full market value, ignoring loose-fill asbestos contamination. Concessions for stamp duty have been provided and are being well used as owners purchase other properties. Relocation support was provided at an average of $14,000 for a family of four people, and wellbeing support has been provided. The government has negotiated support for utilities, banks, and businesses. However, we need to balance what is a $1 billion program and response with the broader community as we enter into the sales phase
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Burch.
MS BURCH: How is the demolition program progressing and how is the task force working with industry to ensure that the houses are demolished safely?
MR GENTLEMAN: As mentioned before, close to 80 properties have now been demolished through the ACT government’s Mr Fluffy demolition program. Currently 671 houses are scheduled to be demolished over the next two years, with houses added to the schedule as they are surrendered. Last week seven properties were demolished across the territory, safely and efficiently. In the near future we will see up to 10 houses demolished each week. An updated demolition schedule will be released later this month so the community can get a further understanding of the timing and progress of the demolition program.
At present there are 10 head contractors appointed to the panel undertaking the demolition work. Of these, six are Canberra based. On any given day across the Mr Fluffy sites, we have up to 100 tradespeople working to remove these houses from our community safely and efficiently. The program is continuing to ramp up. The task force and Procurement and Capital Works, who are coordinating the demolitions, have been closely with industry over the past 12 months to ensure they have both the skills and the boots on the ground to undertake this work.
Local capacity has been increased through greater training opportunities and certainty has been provided through the communication of long-term opportunities of being part of this important work. This has included contractor briefings and site visits to increase understanding of this complex work program. One of the most pleasing things has been the ongoing refinement of work practices and innovative approaches which are occurring by industry as we work through the program. This is being closely watched by other jurisdictions and we will continue to share our learnings. As well as the demolition program, the task force is also working closely with the MBA, HIA and the Australian Institute of Architects as rebuilding begins, and we will continue to do so.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
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