Published Wednesday, 09 January, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
$770K BOOST FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN BUNDABERG
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten today announced that four dwellings had been purchased and added to the Department of Housing’s property portfolio in the Bundaberg region.
Mr Schwarten said the department had purchased a total of four, two-bedroom duplex units in Millbank at a cost of $770,000.
“Two, two-bedroom units in Johnston Street and two, two-bedroom units in Walker Street have been purchased demonstrating the State Government’s commitment to providing social housing for those with a genuine need,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The units will first be upgraded to the Department of Housing’s standard at a cost of $37,000 before being tenanted.”
Mr Schwarten said this latest purchase had taken total State Government spending on housing in Bundaberg to more than $55 million since 1998.
“Skyrocketing rents in the private rental market are hurting low income earners and their families and many are being forced to abandon the private market and apply for social housing,” he said.
“In the past five years the median rent for a two-bedroom unit in Bundaberg has jumped by more than 52% from $115 per week to $175.
“The State Government will spend a record $719 million this financial year on providing more social housing for Queenslanders, which includes a five year, $500 million boost from the Future Fund.
“The purchase of these units demonstrates that Bundaberg is sharing in this funding and will continue to do so.”
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832
Mr Schwarten said the department had purchased a total of four, two-bedroom duplex units in Millbank at a cost of $770,000.
“Two, two-bedroom units in Johnston Street and two, two-bedroom units in Walker Street have been purchased demonstrating the State Government’s commitment to providing social housing for those with a genuine need,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The units will first be upgraded to the Department of Housing’s standard at a cost of $37,000 before being tenanted.”
Mr Schwarten said this latest purchase had taken total State Government spending on housing in Bundaberg to more than $55 million since 1998.
“Skyrocketing rents in the private rental market are hurting low income earners and their families and many are being forced to abandon the private market and apply for social housing,” he said.
“In the past five years the median rent for a two-bedroom unit in Bundaberg has jumped by more than 52% from $115 per week to $175.
“The State Government will spend a record $719 million this financial year on providing more social housing for Queenslanders, which includes a five year, $500 million boost from the Future Fund.
“The purchase of these units demonstrates that Bundaberg is sharing in this funding and will continue to do so.”
Media contact: (07) 3237 1832