21/6/06
A milestone has been reached in the Carpenter Government's latest urban renewal project at Queens Park with the sale of its first refurbished home.
Housing and Works Minister Michelle Roberts said the $255,000 property sale in Hartfield Street was a good example of the State Government's commitment to provide affordable housing and urban renewal.
Mrs Roberts said the Government's New Living program had refurbished and sold nearly 2,000 properties throughout the State since July 2001.
"The sale prices of the majority of these properties were below the median house price making them affordable for tenants, first homebuyers and those on moderate incomes," she said.
"According to REIWA, the current median house price in the metropolitan area is $353,000. Clearly, the New Living program is making a significant contribution towards the provision of affordable housing.
"In the same period, 847 vacant lots of land have also been sold at affordable prices under the program. In addition, the department has refurbished almost 2,000 homes for Homeswest housing."
Victoria Park MLA Ben Wyatt said Queens Park and its Maniana precinct was undergoing a complete transformation under DHW's New Living program.
"The Carpenter Government and the Quattro project partners - Landstart, the development arm of DHW, Peet and Co and the City of Canning - are to be commended for the amazing transformation they have already made to the area," Mr Wyatt said.
"This project is making a tangible and positive difference to the whole community."
The Minister said the project involved the redevelopment of about 23ha of the Homeswest housing cluster in Maniana and already more than 200 properties have been demolished.
"The land is to be reconfigured, creating 278 new single residential sites and six grouped dwelling sites for sale. Roads will be restructured to move away from the current maze of cul-de-sacs forming a grid pattern of streets, with a central, linear corridor," Mrs Roberts said.
"Homeswest will retain one property in nine (about 30 properties) with the remaining 254 vacant lots to be sold to the general public.
"In addition, other ageing Homeswest dwellings will be refurbished and the neighbourhood will be beautified through landscaping, entry statements and public art."
The Minister said that outside the Maniana precinct, Homeswest owned about 65 houses. Some of these properties would be refurbished and retained. The remainder would be either refurbished or demolished and then sold to the public.
"As Quattro continues to gather momentum, the area is moving from strength to strength," Mrs Roberts said.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
