Page 1532 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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which delivers the expectations that we in this place have debated for some time. Section 25 of the act outlines the process for the recruitment of the Integrity Commissioner. That process was rigorous and robust. I commend the motion to members.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Public housing growth and renewal
Ministerial statement
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (10.25): Last October I launched the ACT housing strategy, which sets out the government actions in affordable housing over the next decade. One of the key pieces of this strategy is a $100 million commitment to continue the renewal of public housing and support growth over the next five years. This investment builds on the success of the current public housing renewal program and will see 1,200 new homes built for public housing tenants, including an extra 200 homes for people on the housing register.
Four years ago this government committed to the largest renewal of public housing in our history, with the replacement of 1,288 public housing properties. While the ACT has the highest rate of public housing per capita of any jurisdiction in Australia, we also had, on average, some of the oldest. The housing that has been renewed and replaced, roof for roof, had reached the end of its useful life. It was built to the standards of the time, intended to be temporary accommodation for newly arrived workers to Canberra. The buildings had little or no energy and efficiency ratings, did not match the needs of public housing tenants and were not adaptable for older tenants or people with a disability.
The renewal of public housing enables a better alignment of the portfolio with tenant needs and size, with an increasing number of single person households. It has also broken down concentrations of disadvantage and increased public housing in areas where there was previously very little.
I recently attended the opening of a new complex in Monash which marked the 1,000th home completed under the current renewal program. It has been great to see these homes ready for their new residents, and I have consistently been impressed by the homes being delivered for tenants. The dwellings at Monash are fully adaptable and suitable for older tenants and people with a disability. All new public housing has a minimum six-star energy rating and efficient appliances, meaning it is cheaper to heat and cool during the Canberra seasons.
The current program has been developed with a mix of housing types in 39 different suburbs across Canberra. The government has committed over $600 million over the life of this current program, and this investment in the development and construction of replacement public housing has supported the local industry, generating thousands of jobs.
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