Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

3pm deadline for proposals for 3000 new social housing homes

Joint Media Release with:

  • David Borger MP, NSW MInister for Housing

The NSW and Federal Governments are reminding builders that they have till 3pm today to submit projects for funding as part of the Federal Government’s Nation Building and Stimulus Plan for social housing.

NSW Housing Minister David Borger the Government was looking to add around 3,000 new homes for social housing by buying private land with the potential for residential development.

“In the last few weeks we have held industry briefings across the state with hundreds of people attending and since it was launched a few weeks ago, information about how to submit proposals has been downloaded 1560 times from the website and around 420 proposals have already been submitted,” Mr Borger said

“I encourage anyone with a proposal that still needs to be submitted to make sure they do it by 3pm today.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure jobs and investment in NSW and to better integrate social housing in places close to shops, jobs and opportunities.”

Tanya Plibersek said 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.

“Housing has featured strongly in the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan – firstly through the First Home Owners Boost and then with the $6.4 billion announcement to build 20,000 social housing dwellings,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This $6.4 billion investment will stimulate the building and construction industry and has been estimated to support 15,000 jobs nationally over the next two years.”

Mr Borger said staff would be on hand to offer help to anyone having difficulties submitting proposals through NSW eTendering (https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/nsw/)

“I encourage anyone having difficulties to call 1800 NSW BUY or 1800 679 289 for immediate help,” Mr Borger said.

“The NSW Government will assess all proposals before submitting them to the Commonwealth for approval.”