THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Tuesday, 9 February 2009
015/2010
Defence housing makes strong progress
one year into stimulus program
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today
announced that Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is making strong progress
one year into the Government’s stimulus program.
“As part of the stimulus plan, DHA was allocated $245.58 million to build 802
houses throughout Australia. Due to program efficiencies another 27 houses
have also been included in the program, giving a total of 829 houses,” Mr
Combet said.
“DHA has completed 329 of these, with all 829 houses now contracted. With
just under 18 months left in the program, DHA is well positioned to deliver on
time and on budget.
“The construction of an extra 829 Defence houses nationwide under the
Government’s stimulus program is making a big difference in regional centres.
“For example, in Townsville, where the Defence presence continues to grow,
resulting in additional pressure on the housing market. We are trying to
relieve the pressure on this market with 118 extra Defence homes under the
scheme.
“It is a similar story in Darwin, where the 73 completed Defence houses, are
already helping to ease the burden of a tight housing market. All 185 houses
will be completed in Darwin under the NB-ESP program by mid year 2010,” Mr
Combet said.
Defence houses have also been completed in Brisbane, Canberra, the Hunter
Region, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Adelaide, Sale, Melbourne and Wodonga.
“To support the Government’s objective of job creation and the additional
construction activity, this year DHA also created an Apprenticeship Support
Scheme, which sponsors 20 apprentices located in Adelaide, Canberra,
Darwin, Townsville and Brisbane.”
Mr Combet today addressed the board of DHA and congratulated them on
DHA and all of its employees for their hard work in delivering these results.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
