28/8/04
Three new houses will help the Shire of Derby West Kimberley attract professional staff to live and work in Derby.
Opening the houses today, Kimberley Minister Tom Stephens congratulated the shire on its $800,000 initiative.
Mr Stephens said the State Government had supported the project with a contribution of $100,000.
"Once people get to know Derby and the lifestyle it offers, it is not difficult to persuade them to stay longer," the Minister said.
"However, the quality of available housing is a key factor in attracting professionals to work in regional communities.
"Derby's housing stock is ageing and competition for quality residences is high, so the council took a courageous decision to invest in the town's future.
"Another positive from this project is the opportunities it offered to local contractors to work with Broome-based Colin Wilkinson Developments in building the high quality four-bedroom colourbond homes.
"Their energy-efficient design suits Derby's tropical climate, with high ceilings and verandas to deflect the afternoon and northern sun."
Mr Stephens said a grant from the Country Housing Authority's Housing Development Incentive Scheme had enabled the shire to finance the project.
He said the scheme, which was initiated through a $500,000 contribution from the Western Australian Government's $75million Regional Investment Fund had supported housing projects through regional WA.
"These projects, undertaken by local governments and community organisations, are exactly the sort of partnerships with the State Government that the Regional Infrastructure Fund was designed to foster," the Minister said.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
