Gladstone Big Winner In National Rental Affordability Scheme

Tanya Plibersek and Federal Member for Flynn Chris Trevor today announced that 46 new affordable rental homes would be built in Gladstone under the second round of the National Affordability Rental Scheme.

Ms Plibersek and Mr Trevor made the announcement at a function with the Gladstone Central Committee on the Ageing, which has won 21 incentives to deliver affordable rental homes for seniors.

These 21 new two bedroom homes are expected to be available for rent in June 2010 and will be especially suitable for local seniors with health and mobility concerns.

The properties will include 3,000 litre rainwater tanks, roof insulation, solar block glass and additional shading to those parts of the home that face the western sun.

Ms Plibersek said this development in Gladstone shows that great results can be achieved when all three levels of government work together with local industry to provide affordable housing.

“The construction work also provides jobs for local builders and tradespeople, as each dwelling will be newly constructed,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Earlier this week I launched the third round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which will deliver more affordable rental homes in the future.”

Mr Trevor said he was delighted that the National Rental Affordability Scheme was allowing the Gladstone Central Committee for the Ageing to deliver 21 affordable rental homes for local seniors.

“It is terrific that the Rudd Government is investing in affordable housing for seniors in Gladstone,” Mr Trevor said.

“I am also pleased that two other National Rental Affordability Scheme projects in my electorate will deliver 25 affordable rental properties – 10 here in Gladstone and 15 in Calliope.

“Affordable housing, including our seniors, has been a major problem in Gladstone for many years and I am grateful that my Government has moved to address the problem.

“This announcement today will bring a sigh of relief to many low income earners, seniors and battlers.

“This is a great result for Gladstone. I am very proud to be part of it and to be making a positive difference to the lives of people in my home town of Gladstone.”

The Australian Government is investing more than $1 billion in the National Rental Affordability Scheme over the next four years.

The Scheme will deliver 50,000 new homes across Australia by 2012, which will be rented out at a minimum 20 per cent below market rate.