Stimulus plan delivers jobs and new homes in Mackay and the Whitsunday Coast

Federal  Tanya Plibersek today announced that provisional approval had been given to $24 million worth of social housing projects in Mackay and the Whitsunday Coast that will deliver around 80 new homes.

Ms Plibersek made the announcement with Federal Member for Dawson James Bidgood and State Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt at the site of a $2 million project at Cannonvale that will deliver six two-bedroom apartments by mid 2010.

Ms Plibersek said that social housing projects in Regional Queensland were a great example of how the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan is supporting jobs during the global recession.

“The Australian Government will invest around $24 million in social housing upgrades and new construction projects in Mackay and on the Whitsunday Coast – an investment that will deliver around 80 new homes,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Across the country, the Government estimates that the social housing component of the stimulus plan is supporting more than 15,000 jobs.

“This new investment is one part of the Rudd Government’s program to deliver 80,000 new affordable homes across Australia by 80,000 by 2012.”

Federal Member for Dawson James Bidgood said he was delighted that the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan was delivering jobs and affordable housing in Mackay and on the Whitsunday Coast.

“I am thrilled that the Rudd Government is acting to increase the supply of affordable housing in this region,” Mr Bidgood said.

“The new work also creates employment opportunities for construction industry workers and suppliers.”

State Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said that the Cannonvale project shows the great results that can be achieved when different levels of government work together with local industry to provide affordable housing.

“This project at Cannonvale will deliver six new two-bedroom apartments in an area where affordable homes are greatly needed,” Ms Jarratt said.

“It is also great news for the local construction industry and will generate jobs for tradespeople and suppliers in this region.”

The $5.6 billion social housing initiative is the single largest investment in social housing ever undertaken by an Australian Government.

Australia-wide the program will deliver more than 19,000 new homes with the assistance of State and Territory Governments and the not-for-profit sector, and more than 60,000 repairs and maintenance projects.

In the federal electorate of Dawson, provisional approval has been given for the construction of around 80 new homes in Mackay, Bowen, Proserpine and Cannonvale.

* Please note that locations, numbers and funding under the social housing initiative are current as at 15 October 2009 but are subject to change.