Published Thursday, 13 December, 2007 at 03:27 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
GIVE PUBLIC HOUSING A FAIR GO: SCHWARTEN
The State Government is required to follow planning guidelines when proposing developments such as the 16 unit public housing development at Hillvue Crescent, Avoca, Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said today.
Mr Schwarten said that the Department of Housing had advised him that the site was chosen because it was reasonably close to services, public transport, schools and in an area of high demand.
“Groups such as the one being organised by Mr Perske are not new,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Increasingly, it seems, we have groups opposed to public housing in their area.”
Mr Schwarten said that while his department would follow due process, public housing did not mean neighbourhood problems.
“We have over 60,000 people in some form of public housing in Queensland and I receive very few complaints,” he said.
“Concerns such as somehow public housing means children will not be safe are without foundation.
“There is simply no evidence to suggest that housing department tenants offend against children any more than other groupings in our society.”
Mr Schwarten said the Department of Housing would seriously consider each of the 17 submissions received during the public consultation period.
“But I urge residents not to demonise public housing tenants,” he said.
“The Department has an excellent record in managing tenancies far better than the private market does and all I ask is that social housing tenants be given a fair go.
“Ninety-nine percent of public housing tenants are decent people whose only problem is that they cannot afford a house and the last time I looked that was not a crime,” Mr Schwarten said.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Mr Schwarten said that the Department of Housing had advised him that the site was chosen because it was reasonably close to services, public transport, schools and in an area of high demand.
“Groups such as the one being organised by Mr Perske are not new,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Increasingly, it seems, we have groups opposed to public housing in their area.”
Mr Schwarten said that while his department would follow due process, public housing did not mean neighbourhood problems.
“We have over 60,000 people in some form of public housing in Queensland and I receive very few complaints,” he said.
“Concerns such as somehow public housing means children will not be safe are without foundation.
“There is simply no evidence to suggest that housing department tenants offend against children any more than other groupings in our society.”
Mr Schwarten said the Department of Housing would seriously consider each of the 17 submissions received during the public consultation period.
“But I urge residents not to demonise public housing tenants,” he said.
“The Department has an excellent record in managing tenancies far better than the private market does and all I ask is that social housing tenants be given a fair go.
“Ninety-nine percent of public housing tenants are decent people whose only problem is that they cannot afford a house and the last time I looked that was not a crime,” Mr Schwarten said.
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832