Gold Coast Indigenous heritage honoured with two new social housing project names

Minister for Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni was today welcomed to country at two Gold Coast social housing projects, as he announced the new naming of both sites in honour of local culture and heritage. 

Mr de Brenni was welcomed to the Gold Coast by Aunty Joyce Summers and Leilani Summers, Local Elder of the Yugembah people.

In Palm Beach this morning, Mr de Brenni announced the official new name of Cypress Terrace, Borrogurabah, meaning 'place of the sea' in Yugambeh language and in recognition of the significance of the sea to the Palm Beach area.

Mr de Brenni said the $3,500,000 Borrogurabah project consisted of 10 two-bedroom apartments, configured as three, two-storey buildings, and had supported 100 jobs locally.

“I’d like to congratulate GPH Projects Pty Ltd on the construction of this fabulous project, helping the Queensland Government provide more accessible housing with modern-design features such as wider hallways, level thresholds, provision for grab rails and extra clearance spaces, all of which makes them particularly suitable for clients with a range of mobility challenges,” Mr de Brenni said.

At Burleigh Heads, Mr de Brenni announced the official new name of 1864 & 1866 Gold Coast Highway, to be Jalummbah, meaning 'place of fish' in Yugambeh language, and in recognition of the significance of fish and fishing to the Burleigh area.

“Jalummbah is a $3,532,000, 11 one-bedroom apartment complex configured as a one, three-storey building conveniently located close to local transport and includes lift-servicing, allowing all apartments to meet Liveable Housing Design Guidelines. 

“I’d like to congratulate my team at Building Assets Services for the outstanding delivery of this project that supported 110 local jobs. 

“The strong connection that locals like Aunty Joyce Summers and Leilani have to this area, and their appreciation of the choice of names for these two housing projects, makes me very proud.

“The Gold Coast is a special place for all Queenslanders and the Palaszczuk Government, in conjunction with a range of Specialist Homelessness Services, is committed to delivering on the housing needs of all who reside in this part of our state. 

“Our $1.8 billion Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 will continue to deliver more social and affordable housing across the state and transform the way that housing services are delivered, especially in partnership approach across Government agencies and service providers and community organisations.

Through the Housing Construction Jobs Program initiative under the Strategy, the Queensland Government is investing $110 million to build 392 new social housing dwellings on the Gold Coast from 2017-2022.

“This investment will see work for small, medium and large construction businesses, supporting the equivalent of 63 full time local jobs each year over the five years of the program.

“Our continued investment in social housing construction provides people with a safe, secure place to live as well as an income for local workers,” Mr De Brenni said.

For more information about the Housing Construction Jobs Program, visit:www.hpw.qld.gov.au/housingstrategy

Media Contact: Gemma Buxton 0477 445 331