The Territory Labor Government has secured a $550 million investment from the Federal Government to continue to deliver remote housing in the NT. The deal comes nine months after the funding was first committed by the Commonwealth.
The NT Government will work with the Federal Government and Land Councils to continue the delivery of remote housing.
The deal will see the Federal Government add $550 million to the NT Governments investment of $1.1 billion for remote housing. In return, the NT Government will accept responsibility for remote housing leases until 2023.
The agreement means housing work – including new builds, extensions, upgrades and refurbishments can continue.
This agreement formalises a ground-breaking collaboration between governments and Aboriginal people from the Northern Territory, with the incorporation of Local Decision Making at the community level and inclusion of the four NT Land Councils.
Since coming to Government two-and-a-half years ago, more than 1350 homes have been built or fully upgraded in remote communities this has been done in close consultation with local Aboriginal people in remote communities, creating local jobs and putting us on track to deliver more remote housing than ever before.
Quote from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:
The Territory Labor Government has fought long and hard for the housing funding that was promised to us 9 months ago. Weve now won that fight.
When you invest in housing and address indigenous disadvantage, you are investing in generational change and saving money in the long term.
Since coming to Government the Territory Labor Government has built and upgraded more than 1350 homes. The Federal Governments contribution to our Governments trail-blazing remote housing program will allow us to continue to make tangible and sustainable differences to the lives of Territorians.
Local Decision Making is at the core of our work in remote communities where we are building new homes, improving living conditions and creating jobs and generational change.
People from the bush have told us that having jobs and better homes gives them a sense of pride and dignity. We know our remote housing program is working. It is changing the housing landscape and improving social outcomes in communities across the Territory.
