Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

400 new homes for Sydney’s South West

Joint Media Release with:

  • David Borger MP, NSW Minister for Housing
  • Chris Hayes MP, Member for Werriwa

Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek, Member for Werriwa Chris Hayes and NSW Housing Minister David Borger today announced that South Western Sydney will receive 400 new homes from the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

They made the announcement while inspecting the first Stage 2 homes under construction at Minto.

Ms Plibersek said the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan was all about protecting jobs during the global economic downturn.

“The Rudd Government put in place economic stimulus to protect jobs during the global recession,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The Social Housing Initiative will continue to support local jobs in the construction industry as demand in the private sector begins to pick up during the recovery.

“Importantly this work is not just about jobs for builders and tradies, but also associated industries such as building manufacturers and suppliers who help keep the economy ticking over”.

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

Mr Hayes said: “The majority of the 15 Stage 1 homes announced in June are already under construction, with Stage 2 set to deliver another 383 new homes.

“The $115.8 million dollar investment in Stage 2 represents a large slice of the $1.5 billion worth of construction work set to begin across the State.

“This is a great result for the people and economy of the region and will add 400 much-needed social housing homes by June 2012.”

Mr Borger said: “These new homes will house around 620 people, giving them the security of a roof over their heads and the knowledge that their kids can stay in the one school.

“At a time when the economy is in transition and job security is a big issue, this is a tangible example of what the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan is all about – boosting housing and generating local jobs for local people.

“We’ve got almost 20 different building firms working with us on Stage 1 projects now across South West Sydney and many more local firms will be invited to bid for Stage 2.

“These range from small family firms, who have been the first to get business under Stage 1, to medium sized firms who will also be invited to tender.”