Published Thursday, 14 June, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
NEW GLADSTONE UNITS HONOUR LOCAL IDENTITY
Twenty-three Gladstone residents who were homeless or at risk of homelessness are already living in a new Department of Housing unit complex in Gladstone, Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said today.
Mr Schwarten was in Gladstone to officially open the William Street unit complex today.
He said the complex, built at a cost of $5.65 million, demonstrated the State Government’s commitment to social housing.
“In the past five years, median rents in Gladstone have skyrocketed 73% from $150 to $260,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This has pushed low income earners out of the private rental market, with many having no option other than to sleep rough.
“This new unit complex, built by the Department of Housing, has already given 23 people a roof over their head and that’s great news.
“The State Budget handed down recently included a record $719 million for housing, including a massive $479 million for capital projects which will further boost the supply of social housing in Queensland.”
Mr Schwarten officially named the unit complex after local identity and former Member for Port Curtis Bill Prest.
He said Mr Prest had actively served the Gladstone community as a State politician for more than 16 years from 1976 to 1992.
“Bill Prest made a significant contribution to Gladstone and the State of Queensland during his political career,” he said.
“Having lived in Gladstone since 1949, Bill Prest understood the community. This gained him their respect and led to a long and successful political career, representing the people of the area.
“I firmly believe in naming public buildings after local identities like Bill Prest as it is one way we can record history for future generations.”
The property consists of four buildings on three levels, providing 23 studio units plus a communal recreation area and laundry and disability access throughout the site.
The complex will be managed by Roseberry Community Services, a well respected housing provider in the Gladstone region.
“Roseberry Community Services Incorporated has been operating in Gladstone for 20 years, and manages five properties as crisis and transitional housing and six properties as community-managed housing,” he said.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Mr Schwarten was in Gladstone to officially open the William Street unit complex today.
He said the complex, built at a cost of $5.65 million, demonstrated the State Government’s commitment to social housing.
“In the past five years, median rents in Gladstone have skyrocketed 73% from $150 to $260,” Mr Schwarten said.
“This has pushed low income earners out of the private rental market, with many having no option other than to sleep rough.
“This new unit complex, built by the Department of Housing, has already given 23 people a roof over their head and that’s great news.
“The State Budget handed down recently included a record $719 million for housing, including a massive $479 million for capital projects which will further boost the supply of social housing in Queensland.”
Mr Schwarten officially named the unit complex after local identity and former Member for Port Curtis Bill Prest.
He said Mr Prest had actively served the Gladstone community as a State politician for more than 16 years from 1976 to 1992.
“Bill Prest made a significant contribution to Gladstone and the State of Queensland during his political career,” he said.
“Having lived in Gladstone since 1949, Bill Prest understood the community. This gained him their respect and led to a long and successful political career, representing the people of the area.
“I firmly believe in naming public buildings after local identities like Bill Prest as it is one way we can record history for future generations.”
The property consists of four buildings on three levels, providing 23 studio units plus a communal recreation area and laundry and disability access throughout the site.
The complex will be managed by Roseberry Community Services, a well respected housing provider in the Gladstone region.
“Roseberry Community Services Incorporated has been operating in Gladstone for 20 years, and manages five properties as crisis and transitional housing and six properties as community-managed housing,” he said.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832