Waranyjarri Estate Display Village opens in Western Australia

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Brendan O’Connor today welcomed the opening of the Waranyjarri Estate Display Village in Broome North, WA, built to address the area’s housing shortage.

The development is supported through the Gillard Government’s more than $400 million Housing Affordability Fund.

“The Waranyjarri Estate Display Village is the first step to developing an estate that will double the size of Broome,” Mr O’Connor said.

“We aim to house about 13,000 people here by building more than 5,000 homes.

“We know that Australia is facing a critical housing shortage problem, and the Waranyjarri Estate development will help address the issue in Broome North.

“The estate will also include land development for schools, commercial properties, retail opportunities, and tourism growth.

“The Gillard Government’s Housing Affordability Fund is one of many measures we have delivered to reduce housing-related infrastructure and planning costs, and to pass these savings on to new home purchasers.”

“New purchasers of land from the Waranyjarri Estate may be eligible to claim a combined rebate of more than $30,000.”

The estate is being developed in consultation with WA Government, WA LandCorp, the shire of Broome and the traditional owners.

It includes exhibition homes from eight local and metropolitan builders, and 28 single residential lots of the estate will also be available for sale.

Mr O’Connor said the Gillard Government has invested more than $20 billion in measures to help people with home ownership and affordable housing, and to tackle homelessness across the country.

“Addressing housing affordability is a challenge that requires the combined effort of all governments, as well as the wider private and community sector.

“The Gillard Government is committed to helping people with home ownership and affordable housing.

“As part of the Government’s Housing Affordability Fund, we have committed $4.5 million to the North Broome Project – this will result in a rebate of $18,595 to eligible purchasers. Purchasers will also be eligible to apply for First Home Owners Grant of $7,000 and an early settlement rebate (up to 30 June 2012).

“The Housing Affordability Fund is about helping families and individuals afford to buy a home.”

The Housing Affordability Fund provides grants to local governments, local government associations, state and territory governments and the private sector.

The Fund complements other government initiatives to improve the community’s access to affordable housing, including the $4.5 billion National Rental Affordability Scheme and the $100 million Building Better Regional Cities program.