Housing and works minister Michelle Roberts was in Albany today to release an afforable housing project at Mt Lockyer, and to open the first major park and sales office at its joint venture Oyster Harbour Development.
Housing and works minister Michelle Roberts was in Albany today to release an afforable housing project at Mt Lockyer, and to open the first major park and sales office at its joint venture Oyster Harbour Development.
Constructed in 1971 of brick veneer and terracotta tile, the 11 units at 23 McKail Street Mt Lockyer, consist of seven, three-bedroom, single-storey and four, three-bedroom, double-storey townhouses, that will go on sale for between $260,000 to $275,000
Mrs Roberts said the townhouses were located approximately 3.5km north-west of the Albany CBD, and were less than one kilometre from Lockyer Primary School and local shops.
"The units have undergone complete internal refurbishment, including new kitchens and bathrooms, plus painting and floor refinishing," the minister said.
"External refurbishment including carports, painting, rendering and extensive landscaping has also been done.
"Initially, the units will be offered to people on low incomes and public tenants under the Goodstart and First Start shared equity schemes. Any unsold units will then be offered to the general public, with first homebuyers being given preference.
"The refurbishments form part of the Department of Housing and Works' Albany Urban Renewal project, which was established in Mt Lockyer in 1999."
The minister said eligible First Start buyers could purchase 60 per cent of the homes, with the Department of Housing and Works owning the remaining 40 per cent.
Oyster Harbour is the largest single residential land construction in the Great Southern and will offer residents access to employment, healthcare and educational facilities.
Situated at Bayonet Head, approximately six kilometres from the Albany town site, the Oyster Harbour estate is a government joint venture with the Heath Development Company and comprises approximately 206 hectares of land, which will provide 2,600 residential lots and several serviced commercial sites, including a retail precinct.
Stage One, comprising 89 lots, was pre-released for sale in December 2006.
To date, 54 lots have sold for an average of $205,625. Planning approval has been granted for the further development of 540 lots, with works to commence on 60 lots this month.
Three display homes will be built by local builders WA Country Builders, Scott Park Homes and Jaxon Residential.
Mrs Roberts said the supply of much-needed building lots for the rapidly growing area was essential, and the joint venture was doing more than simply developing land.
"Under the joint venture arrangement, a ratio of one in 12 dwellings is progressively allocated to the Department of Housing and Works for its social housing program, with quality community infrastructure also high on the joint venture's agenda.
"The contract for landscape works for a 3,500sq.m park has been awarded to Landscape Development and will be completed in February 2008."
As well as building the park, the joint venture has also committed to sponsoring the Albany Surf Life Saving Club (ASLSC), the Albany Police and Community Youth Centre (APCYC) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
ASLSC recently received $15,000 towards the construction of a new clubhouse, and APCYC received $7,000 to purchase gymnasium and other equipment.
The RFDS is participating in the construction of a four-bedroom, two-bathroom Charity Home Project on-site at Oyster Harbour.
The land has been donated by the joint venture and the house is being constructed by WA Country Builders.
When completed in April 2008, sale proceeds from the charity home will go to the RFDS Flying 1000 for the fit-out of life-saving medical equipment for each new aircraft purchased.
