Media Statement
PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6277 4870 Facsimile: 02 6277 8557
29/10/09
Stimulus plan delivers jobs and new homes in South-West WA
Parliamentary Secretary for Western and Northern Australia Gary Gray AO MP today
announced that the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan
would see more than $60million invested in the South-West region to deliver 283
social homes and units.
Mr Gray said new social housing construction in the South-West of WA was a great
example of how the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan was supporting jobs
during the global recession.
“Around Australia, $5.7billion is being invested in the social housing initiatives to
deliver more than 19,000 new homes with the assistance of State and Territory
Governments and the not-for-profit sector,” Mr Gray said.
“Funding for new homes in WA includes $550million from the Rudd Government’s
Commonwealth Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan and $40million from the
Social Housing partnerships agreement. The WA State Government has contributed
$146million towards the homes.
“This is the single biggest investment in social housing ever undertaken by an
Australian Government.”
Planned new housing projects include:
54 homes in Bunbury;
26 homes in Busselton;
2 homes in Carey Park;
7 homes in Collie;
163 homes in Dalyellup;
4 homes in Withers;
20 homes in Margaret River; and
7 homes in Australind.
(Due to development contractual arrangements there may be some changes to locations and
numbers).
More than 250 homes are scheduled to be completed by early 2011.
“Across the country, the Government estimates that the social housing component of
the stimulus plan is supporting more than 15,000 jobs,” Mr Gray said.
“This new construction work supports jobs and small business in the South West at a
time when the local economy is still feeling the impact of the global recession.
“As well as boosting the local economy, this investment has the important social
benefit of increasing the supply of affordable housing in the South West.
“The lack of affordable housing has been a major problem in many parts of this
region for some time and the Rudd Government is helping to address the problem
through this important stimulus program.
“It also demonstrates the great results that can be achieved when different levels of
government work together with local industry to provide affordable housing.”
Media contact: Astrid Serventy 0407 383 117
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