18/1/04
Housing and Works Minister Nick Griffiths said he was delighted with public response to the expansion of the award-winning New Living Program into Geraldton suburbs last year.
On a visit to Geraldton today, Mr Griffiths noted the transformation which the New Living program had brought to Homeswest housing since it was introduced into the suburbs of Waggrakine, Spalding, Utakarra, Rangeway and Beachlands last year.
"Public reaction to the scheme has been very favourable, sales activity extremely vigorous and in all, 24 homes have been sold since June 2003 and another 22 properties are under offer of sale or undergoing renovations prior to sale," the Minister said.
"The State Government wants to reduce the presence of public housing in these suburbs from 29 per cent to 16 per cent by 2008.
Geraldton MLA Shane Hill, who accompanied the Minister on the inspection tour, said he was pleased the program had delivered the dream of home ownership to many Western Australians.
Mr Hill said purchasers were paying between $60,000 and $70,000 for a three-bedroom brick and tile home. Values were forecast to increase as public housing levels in the suburbs reduced.
"New Living revitalises areas which have become run down due to age, outdated urban design and excessively high levels of public housing," he said.
A total of 25 rental properties within New Living areas would also be refurbished by July 2004, with comparable numbers flagged for improvements in subsequent years.
Mr Griffiths also took time to view the progress of another of his department's projects, one which involved the housing of computers rather than people.
In 2003, the WA Government initiated a program to provide all Year Eight and Year Nine students at John Willcock College with laptop computers. More than 700 laptops and associated infrastructure were rolled out in Term Four, 2003.
The first 100 laptops have been presented to students.
Mr Griffiths said five of 27 security lockers needed to house 700 computers had already been constructed.
The Department of Housing and Works would soon award a contract to build the lockers and installing the electrical, data cabling and security cameras required. Total cost of the works was expected to be about $374,000. With the exception of the initial five lockers, all work would be done by Geraldton companies.
John Willcock College's Design and Technology building was receiving roofing work and the installation of evaporative cooling. The work would be awarded to Geraldton companies at a cost of $90,000.
While in Geraldton, the Minister was a special guest of the Geraldton Turf Club and witnessed the running of the Geraldton Cup.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
