12/9/03
The renamed subdivision of Golden Grove at Kalgoorlie-Boulder is set to become another success story for the 'New Living Program' managed by the Department of Housing and Works.
In a key handover ceremony today, Housing and Works Minister Nick Griffiths said he was confident the area would become a much sought-after location in the years ahead.
Mr Griffiths said that although there had been a lack of demand for properties in Adeline caused by a depressed property market in the area, there were now signs of improvement.
The Minister congratulated Ms Vivienne Tuhua on buying her own home in Wychitella Place, Golden Grove with obvious faith in the future.
He said the strategy at Golden Grove was to reduce the concentration of public housing by refurbishing old Homeswest properties and offering them for sale to existing tenants and members of the public.
Ms Tuhua's four-bedroom house was located close to the local South Kalgoorlie Primary School, the Eastern Goldfields Senior High School, and was only a two-minute walk to the Lionel Street Markets and the Oasis Centre.
Mr Griffiths said the State Government recognised that home ownership was a dream for many Western Australians.
"The Gallop Government believes all Western Australians should have access to secure and affordable housing," he said.
The Minister said the Golden Grove refurbishment was progressing well and residents were very positive about the project.
"Public housing in the area is to be reduced by up to 20 per cent over a two to three-year period," Mr Griffiths said.
"The New Living program brings positive results; not overnight, but step-by-step.
"This area consists of 464 properties of which the department owned 228, equating to a rental presence of 49 per cent.
"It is intended to refurbish and sell about 129 of the dwellings, thereby reducing public housing presence to about 12 per cent.
"The department also intends to refurbish and retain 99 dwellings for public rental housing stocks."
Mr Griffiths said the New Living project for Adeline was now managed internally by the Department of Housing and Works.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Department of Housing and Works formalised the sharing of infrastructure costs on a 50/50 basis.
Since the area became 'Golden Grove', 14 properties had been sold at an average price of $75,000, per property.
There were now three properties under offer, with prices ranging from $75,000 to $110,000.
The Department of Housing and Works had completed eight properties for retention, and work had commenced on the 26 pensioner units at Brittania Place.
Minister's Office - 9222 8950
