First Nations communities land historic Housing Plans

Published Wednesday, 08 January, 2020 at 10:56 AM

Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Digital Technology and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Mick de Brenni

Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have established the first tranche of Local Housing Plans (LHPs) to build new and upgraded housing, as the Palaszczuk Government helps local communities to reduce overcrowding.

Minister for Housing Mick de Brenni said Queensland’s First Nations Advisor Mick Gooda had been working with Mayors and their communities to design bespoke housing plans suitable to the needs of each community.

“The Palaszczuk Government is handing control over the development of LHPs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities while also supporting local construction industry jobs and training,” he said.

“Working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mayors, community leaders are making decisions on the allocation of funding and it’s exciting to have these projects determined by the needs of local communities.

“Today I can confirm we have decided to support extensions to seven existing homes on some of the islands that make up the Torres Strait Island Regional Council area, including Badu, Dauan, Hammond, Iama, Mabuiag and Saibai islands.

“Another LHP will deliver four new homes in the Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council area and also fund the extension of seven homes on Palm Island.

“Australia’s first ever Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Action Plan has chartered a pathway towards local ownership of LHPs to overcrowding in Yarrabah, Cherbourg and Torres shire council areas which we excluded from the previous National Partnership on Remote Housing.”

“This support comes on top of the projects we’ve already committed to help build in the Aurukun, Doomadgee, Hope Vale, Woorabinda, Pormpuraaw and Napranum Aboriginal shire council regions.”

Mr de Brenni said Queensland’s First Nations Advisor Mick Gooda had worked closely with a working group of mayors selected to represent the 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Government Councils.

“We will continue to work with other councils, including Wujal Wujal and Lockhart River Aboriginal shire councils as well as Torres and Mornington Island shire councils to finalise housing proposals for their communities,” he said.

“This is the first step in providing more housing and more local ownership, responsibility and accountability through a program that emphasises collaboration between levels of government and places local communities at the heart of decision-making.”

The projects are a key part of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Action Plan 2019-2023, a commitment under the $1.8 billion Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027.

 

ENDS

Media contact: Richard O'Leary 0447155332