Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Maintenance millions for local jobs and homes in Sydney’s Inner West

Joint Media Release with:

  • David Borger MP, NSW Minister for Housing
  • John Murphy MP, Member for Lowe
  • Angela D'Amore MP, NSW Member for Drummoyne

Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek and NSW Housing Minister David Borger today announced that over $1.4 million is being invested in Sydney’s inner West suburbs of Drummoyne and Strathfield to upgrade 428 social housing homes.

Mr Borger and Ms Plibersek, who made the announcement in Croydon Park with Federal MP for Lowe John Murphy and State MP for Drummoyne Angela D’Amore said the investment was part of the Federal Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

The breakdown of the investment for the area included:

  • Drummoyne – $732,491 to upgrade 216 homes;
  • Strathfield – $720,588 to upgrade 212 homes.

Ms Plibersek said the Commonwealth Government is investing $130 million right across NSW on social housing maintenance.

“The Rudd Government’s $6.4 billion investment to build 20,000 social housing dwellings across Australia will stimulate the building and construction industry and has been estimated by Treasury to support 15,000 jobs nationally over the next two years.

“Nearly 70 percent of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan is infrastructure and these construction projects are now underway,” Ms Plibersek said.

“When the stimulus package gets up to full steam in about 12 months, there will be around 35,000 individual construction projects around the country.

“It’s not just about jobs for builders and tradies but also associated industries such as building manufacturers and suppliers who help keep the Australian economy ticking over.”

Mr Borger said that in August last year, the NSW Government launched the single biggest residential maintenance contract in the Southern Hemisphere – helping to save millions of taxpayer dollars by adopting smarter ways of doing things.

“The new system encourages more proactive maintenance and improves the way tenants can report any repairs that are needed and because we have completed an audit of all the maintenance required in NSW we have been able to immediately kick start this new program,” Mr Borger said.

“The Premier brought forward a record $200 million late last year to further stimulate the economy. Housing NSW will also continue to spend around $140 million to further reduce the maintenance backlog,” Mr Borger said.

“This money will employ 50 social housing residents over a two year period, help maintenance contractors take on 250 apprentices, and improve the living conditions of social housing residents across the state.

“We are ramping up maintenance.

“This will see us upgrade an enormous number of homes over the next two years,” said Mr Borger.

Federal Member for Lowe John Murphy MP said housing and construction is a major employer in the Australian economy.

“The Rudd Government is taking practical steps through its Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis by supporting jobs in the construction sector,” Mr Murphy said.

“These infrastructure projects show the Australian, state and territory and local governments working together in partnership.

“In addition, there is the important social benefit of providing more affordable housing to people who need it the most.”

Local Member for Drummoyne Angela D’Amore said the NSW Government had hit the ground running to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunity.

“This investment is a great boost for local jobs and for tenants living in social housing homes in Sydney’s inner West. The NSW Government is committed to ensuring we pull out all stops to meet the Prime Minister’s deadline,” Ms D’Amore said.