Chadwick Builders has been appointed to build 12 new units in Albany as part of a strategy to increase the amount of public housing available in the town.
Chadwick Builders has been appointed to build 12 new units in Albany as part of a strategy to increase the amount of public housing available in the town.
The units are being built through the Commonwealth Stimulus Social Housing National Partnership Agreement.
The one and two bedroom dwellings are being built on land which is part of the Oyster Harbour Joint Venture estate.
Work is expected to begin this week, and be completed by May 2011.
Housing Minister Bill Marmion said the units would give social housing numbers a boost in the area.
See statement from the Minister below:
The State Government will increase the number of social housing properties available in Albany through the development of 12 new units built through the Commonwealth Stimulus Social Housing National Partnership Agreement.
The social housing units are being built on land which is part of the Oyster Harbour Joint Venture estate, located approximately six kilometres north-east of the Albany town centre.
Inspecting the site today, Housing Minister Bill Marmion said the units would give social housing numbers a boost in the area.
"The 12 social housing units will be one and two bedrooms," Mr Marmion said.
"The architecturally-designed units will have a six star energy rating and will be a unique addition to Albany's predominately single-residential housing mix.
"The construction contract has been awarded to Chadwick Builders and building will commence on site this week, with completion expected in May 2011."
The project is a joint venture between the Department of Housing and Heath Development Company which will develop 2,300 lots on 212ha of land.
The Minister said the joint venture was focused on providing affordable options for first homebuyers and low income earners.
"The joint venture will offer a $5,000 rebate to first home buyers who purchase a block of land at Oyster Harbour between October and December this year," he said.
"The Government is focused on providing affordable housing options for West Australians and developing suitable housing, especially in regional areas, is extremely important.
"We are planning to build 20,000 houses by 2020 and public private partnerships like this will help us achieve this goal.
"Oyster Harbour will be the first master planned community in Albany. 156 lots have already been created, with the next stage of development, comprising 50 lots, to be released in early 2011."
The Government will launch its affordable housing strategy before the end of 2010. The strategy is based on 53 recommendations made by the Social Housing Taskforce.