Homeswest will waive rent in Exmouth & Moora until essential services are returned

31/3/99
Homeswest will waive rent in Exmouth and Moora until essential services are returned to its properties and they are returned to an appropriate standard.
Housing Minister Dr Kim Hames, in Exmouth today to assess damage to housing, said Homeswest had moved swiftly to house the homeless and begin repair and rebuilding work.
The agency has also established an office in the One Stop Shop and 14 tenants who have not been able to return to their homes have been relocated to vacant Homeswest accommodation or are staying with family and friends.
Four tenants who have asked to be relocated to Perth, Geraldton and Albany are now being assisted on a priority basis.
Dr Hames said a team of technical advisers from Homeswest had been in Exmouth since last Friday and were surveying all Homeswest properties for damage.
"To date, 14 older style properties have been confirmed as destroyed. The cost of replacing them is estimated at $2.1 million. It is estimated this construction project will take about 26 weeks to complete."
Dr Hames said every effort was being made to ensure tender, planning and approvals processes are expedited.
"Some 70 properties have been substantially damaged, with repairs estimated at $20,000 per dwelling - a total of about $1.4 million," he said.
"A further 32 units in a Homeswest Community Housing joint venture arrangement were also damaged. Four units sustained major damage estimated at $20,000 per unit with damage for the remaining 28 units estimated at $2,000 per unit."
"Several kilometres of fencing must also be replaced at a cost of $500,000."
"I am pleased to report that work has already commenced to electrical, plumbing and other safety issues, to ensure essential services are connected and some carpentry work is also under way."
Dr Hames said approximately $40,000 worth of work had been issued to local contractors.
"Of the 31 GEHA properties in Exmouth six require structural reports and it is anticipated one home will require replacement."
Dr Hames said the estimated cost for damage to GEHA properties is $750,000, with the average cost being $20,000 per property plus $150,000 for the replacement.
"Two GEHA tenants have been relocated to other properties and GEHA is currently assisting a third," he said.
"It is expected that local tradesmen will commence work in GEHA properties in the next day or so."
Media contact: Caroline Lacy 9424 7450
Homeswest: Stephanie Wood 9222 4500 or 0419 910847