Shot in the arm for construction industry

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p2166-Melanka-2By ERWIN CHLANDA
 
The local construction industry is getting a shot in the arm from the NT Government’s “Real Housing for Growth” initiative.
 
A spokeswoman for Housing Minister Bess Price says 145 units are committed in Alice Springs under the head leasing initiative.
 
Some 50 are already under construction or completed. None of the 145 are in Kilgariff.
 
Dean Osborne, who is promoting the $100 Melanka project (pictured), says his firm is in “discussions” about the initiative. However, as no Exceptional Development Permit has been granted so far, it would not be proper to pre-sell dwellings until “when and if” it is issued.
 
It is reported at that 2000 new affordable homes will be built across the Territory by 2016-17.
 
Under the scheme the Territory Government is offering to head-lease privately owned dwellings, developed on either privately owned land or nominated Territory owned sites, for a 10 year period, where the owner / investor is guaranteed 52 weeks market rent per year, according to a government release.
 
The Territory Government will then rent the dwellings to eligible key workers at 30% below market rent.
 
“Key workers include the apprentice mechanic repairing our car, the barista making our coffee in the morning, the caring nurse at the hospital and the teacher educating our children. This initiative supports young families and others who are being squeezed out of the private rental market but who all contribute to a growing local economy,” says the release.
 
 

1 COMMENT

  1. Renovating houses left vacant for several years might be a help too. Noticed those in Bradshaw Drive finally had the long grass cut for the first time in a couple of years. Can they move on from that point?

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