Stimulus plan delivers jobs and new homes in Far North Queensland

Federal Tanya Plibersek today announced that provisional approval had been given to $80 million worth of social housing projects in Far North Queensland that will deliver around 300 new homes.

Ms Plibersek made the announcement with Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour and State Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt at the site of a $6 million project in Edmonton that will deliver 20 one-bedroom units.

The building work is expected to be completed by September 2010 and will support around 30 jobs.

Ms Plibersek said that social housing projects in Far North 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 $80 million in new social housing construction in Far North Queensland – an investment that will deliver around 300 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 increase the stock of affordable homes in Australia by 80,000 by 2012.”

Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour said he was delighted that the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan was delivering jobs and affordable housing in Far North Queensland.

“It is terrific that the Rudd Government is making such a big investment in affordable housing in Far North Queensland,” Mr Turnour said.

“The new work also creates employment opportunities for construction industry workers and suppliers – as shown by the project here at Edmonton that will support around 30 jobs.”

State Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said that the project at Edmonton shows the great results that can be achieved when different levels of government work together with local industry to provide affordable housing.

“This project will deliver 20 new units in an area where affordable homes are greatly needed,” Mr Pitt 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.

Across Far North Queensland, the program will deliver more than 200 homes in the Cairns, Cooktown and Palm Cove and over 80 in the Tablelands, Innisfail, Tully and Ingham.

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