Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
FIRST SOD TURNED ON NEW LABRADOR SOCIAL HOUSING PROJECT
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten and Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft today turned the first sod on a construction project that will add 35 units to the supply of social housing on the Gold Coast.
The $10 million project in Labrador is a partnership between the Department of Housing and Churches of Christ Care.
Churches of Christ Care is a not-for-profit provider of affordable and social housing in South East Queensland with over 400 tenancies under management through its service, Care Housing.
“The development will include 20 self-contained one-bedroom units at 42-44 Proud Street and 15 self-contained one-bedroom units at 143 Muir Street,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The development’s location will ensure tenants will be close to support networks and services such as transport, shops and medical centres.”
Mr Schwarten said construction was forecast for completion in mid-2009.
“This development is one of seven construction projects the Department of Housing currently has underway on the Gold Coast which combined will add a total of 64 units of social housing accommodation,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Another four construction projects are forecast to start later this financial year which will see the social housing stocks further boosted by another 12 units of accommodation.
“All of this construction activity, as well as the purchase of existing dwellings, is possible because the Bligh Government will spend around $1 billion on housing this financial year, including a massive $759 million on capital works.
“In fact, the Department of Housing will spend $4.15 million each and every day this year to provide housing and support for Queensland battlers.”
Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft welcomed the construction of more social housing on the Gold Coast.
“Like other parts of the state, the cost of renting in the private rental market on the Gold Coast continues to rise with the median rent for a two-bedroom unit on the coast increasing 10% in the past 12 months from $300pw to $330pw and 50% in the past five years,” Ms Croft said.
“These increases have forced many low income earners to abandon the market and apply for social housing.
“There are currently around 4,500 applications for social housing on the Gold Coast so I am delighted that ongoing lobbying has resulted in funding for this and other housing projects on the coast,” Ms Croft said.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Editor’s note: digital photo taken on-site today available from media statements website.
Photo caption: Housing Minister Robert Schwarten, Member for Southport Peter Lawlor and Churches of Christ Care Acting Executive Director Peter Cranna (far right) watch as Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft turns the first sod on the Proud Street site.
The $10 million project in Labrador is a partnership between the Department of Housing and Churches of Christ Care.
Churches of Christ Care is a not-for-profit provider of affordable and social housing in South East Queensland with over 400 tenancies under management through its service, Care Housing.
“The development will include 20 self-contained one-bedroom units at 42-44 Proud Street and 15 self-contained one-bedroom units at 143 Muir Street,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The development’s location will ensure tenants will be close to support networks and services such as transport, shops and medical centres.”
Mr Schwarten said construction was forecast for completion in mid-2009.
“This development is one of seven construction projects the Department of Housing currently has underway on the Gold Coast which combined will add a total of 64 units of social housing accommodation,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Another four construction projects are forecast to start later this financial year which will see the social housing stocks further boosted by another 12 units of accommodation.
“All of this construction activity, as well as the purchase of existing dwellings, is possible because the Bligh Government will spend around $1 billion on housing this financial year, including a massive $759 million on capital works.
“In fact, the Department of Housing will spend $4.15 million each and every day this year to provide housing and support for Queensland battlers.”
Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft welcomed the construction of more social housing on the Gold Coast.
“Like other parts of the state, the cost of renting in the private rental market on the Gold Coast continues to rise with the median rent for a two-bedroom unit on the coast increasing 10% in the past 12 months from $300pw to $330pw and 50% in the past five years,” Ms Croft said.
“These increases have forced many low income earners to abandon the market and apply for social housing.
“There are currently around 4,500 applications for social housing on the Gold Coast so I am delighted that ongoing lobbying has resulted in funding for this and other housing projects on the coast,” Ms Croft said.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3237 1832
Editor’s note: digital photo taken on-site today available from media statements website.
Photo caption: Housing Minister Robert Schwarten, Member for Southport Peter Lawlor and Churches of Christ Care Acting Executive Director Peter Cranna (far right) watch as Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft turns the first sod on the Proud Street site.