Published Friday, 29 August, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
SMART SOCIAL HOUSING FOR MARYBOROUGH RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY SHELTER FIRE
Eleven residents of the Coolooli Men's Shelter, which was gutted by fire on August 16, will be the first to benefit from the Department of Housing’s renovation of a former Maryborough motel into social housing, Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said today.
Mr Schwarten said the 11 men would be housed in the renovated rooms at the former Diggers Rest Motel until construction of a new hostel was completed.
“The fire caused extensive damage to the shelter but thankfully all the residents escaped safely,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Luckily, the renovation of the former motel buildings is on-track for completion by the end of August so the Fraser Coast Housing Service will be able to house these men here.”
Mr Schwarten said the Department of Housing purchased the former motel in July 2007 and had since undertaken more than $1.3 million worth of renovations.
The renovated complex features a total of 23 units which, after the clients from the Coolooli Men’s Shelter are housed in their shelter, will be used to house people from the social housing wailist.
The Fraser Coast Housing Service will manage the complex on the department’s behalf.
“While the department’s purchase of the Diggers Rest for use as social housing has proven timely in respect to housing the Coolooli shelter’s clients, it also makes good sense for the long term,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Refurbishing the Diggers Rest took around 13 months to complete, while it would take around 2.5 years to build a similar-sized complex if suitable land was found.
“The total cost of the purchase and renovation was $3 million but to construct a similar-sized completed would have cost in excess of $6.5 million.”
Mr Schwarten said that purchasing motels to use as social housing is just one of the actions the Department of Housing is taking to address the current housing crisis.
“This year the Bligh Government will spend a massive $510 million building and buying more dwellings to add to its stock of social housing,” he said.
“The bulk of this money will be spent on more traditional forms of social housing but the department will continue to explore new and innovative types of housing like refurbishing motels.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204
Mr Schwarten said the 11 men would be housed in the renovated rooms at the former Diggers Rest Motel until construction of a new hostel was completed.
“The fire caused extensive damage to the shelter but thankfully all the residents escaped safely,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Luckily, the renovation of the former motel buildings is on-track for completion by the end of August so the Fraser Coast Housing Service will be able to house these men here.”
Mr Schwarten said the Department of Housing purchased the former motel in July 2007 and had since undertaken more than $1.3 million worth of renovations.
The renovated complex features a total of 23 units which, after the clients from the Coolooli Men’s Shelter are housed in their shelter, will be used to house people from the social housing wailist.
The Fraser Coast Housing Service will manage the complex on the department’s behalf.
“While the department’s purchase of the Diggers Rest for use as social housing has proven timely in respect to housing the Coolooli shelter’s clients, it also makes good sense for the long term,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Refurbishing the Diggers Rest took around 13 months to complete, while it would take around 2.5 years to build a similar-sized complex if suitable land was found.
“The total cost of the purchase and renovation was $3 million but to construct a similar-sized completed would have cost in excess of $6.5 million.”
Mr Schwarten said that purchasing motels to use as social housing is just one of the actions the Department of Housing is taking to address the current housing crisis.
“This year the Bligh Government will spend a massive $510 million building and buying more dwellings to add to its stock of social housing,” he said.
“The bulk of this money will be spent on more traditional forms of social housing but the department will continue to explore new and innovative types of housing like refurbishing motels.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204