Released 25/07/2017
The ACT Government’s Public Housing Renewal Program has taken another major step forward with the identification of six sites for new public housing dwellings across Canberra.
The program is improving living conditions for some of Canberra’s most vulnerable residents by providing 1,288 new, modern and energy efficient dwellings to replace outdated and unsustainable public housing.
The new public housing being built or purchased by the government features quality design that fits in well with its surrounding neighbourhood and streetscapes.
Through the program the government is replacing outdated concentrations of public housing with smaller-scale, quality accommodation scattered throughout Canberra.
In keeping with the “salt and pepper” approach to public housing the government has identified six more sites in Tuggeranong, Molonglo Valley, Weston Creek and Woden Valley for the next stage of the $550 million renewal program.
The sites – in Wright, Monash, Holder, Chapman and Mawson – are on Community Facility-zoned land. A total of up to 141 new dwellings will house tenants relocated from old public housing precincts on Northbourne Avenue and the inner south, as well as those from the general Housing ACT waiting list.
The Public Housing Renewal Taskforce plans to lodge development applications (DAs) for these sites next month. The developments range in size from six to 32 units. All dwellings will be adaptable to support tenants’ changing needs and to allow ageing in place.
The taskforce has advised the relevant community councils of the planned developments, and is distributing notices to nearby residents. As well, information on each development is available on the taskforce’s website www.act.gov.au/housingrenewal. The website will be updated as the DAs are notified, with a link to the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development website for people who want to comment on any of the DAs.
The public comment period will be extended for an extra two weeks to a total of five weeks, to give people plenty of time to comment. Construction is expected to start in the second half of this year.
The public housing renewal program is part of our commitment to being Australia’s most inclusive city. We have a shared responsibility to ensure everyone, regardless of age or cultural or socio-economic background, can access housing that meet their needs and can take part in community life.
The taskforce is on track to meet its target of providing 1,288 new public housing dwellings by 2019. A total of 268 dwellings (including constructed and purchased homes) have now been completed and transferred to Housing ACT, with another 255 under construction. In addition, the taskforce is continuing to plan for hundreds more dwellings on sites across the city.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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