Inspecting the construction of new Aboriginal housing in South Moree this week, Aboriginal Sustainable Homes’ Construction Manager Chris Doolan, left, Mayor Katrina Humphries, Aboriginal Employment Strategy Education Officer Jackie Draper, Minister for Housing Melinda Pavey, apprentice Toby Swan, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Aboriginal Employment Strategy’s Keagan Fernando, Aboriginal Employment Strategy Operations Manager Toni Johnston and NSW Aboriginal Housing Office Construction Manager Niki Warden.
Thursday, 11 March 2021
CONSTRUCTION of three new homes for Moree Aboriginal families is underway, bringing an increase in employment opportunities for tradespeople along with skills development for 15 local Aboriginal apprentices, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
Mr Marshall said the delivery of the new homes was part of the State Government’s $212 million Stimulus funding commitment to the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) to improve the lives of Aboriginal people across NSW and create rural and regional employment.
A second AHO construction project in South Moree is almost complete, adding another 10 homes in the community.
Mr Marshall said the 13 new homes, worth $5.57 million, was one of the largest housing projects the community had seen in many years and was creating local employment from within Moree and nearby towns.
“This construction supports the growing demand in Moree, particularly for larger Aboriginal family homes and seniors housing,” Mr Marshall said.
“Importantly, it demonstrates the government’s focus on providing appropriate housing for Aboriginal people.
“The residences currently under construction include one four-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes, which are all expected to be delivered in South Moree by June this year.
“Excitingly, the construction, undertaken by Aboriginal Sustainable Homes also provides essential on-the-job training for 15 Aboriginal apprentices through its partnership with TRAIN 365.”
Housing Minister Melinda Pavey joined Mr Marshall on a visit to the construction site this week and said the new homes were essential in supporting economic recovery from COVID-19 and also strengthens the Moree and extended communities by providing the opportunity for Aboriginal trainees to gain valuable construction skills.
“According to the latest Aboriginal Participation in Construction report (January 2021) there is 56 per cent Aboriginal participation in the construction of the three homes under Stimulus 21 which is vitally important to ensuring ongoing employment for Aboriginal people in remote towns,” Mrs Pavey said.
“In an additional construction by the AHO, The Innovation Project is nearing completion with three of the 10 homes to be handed over to Aboriginal people in South Moree in mid-2021.”
The program of works includes seven two-bedroom homes, specific to seniors to allow independent living through adaptable designs such as wider doorways, walk-in showers and grab rails. Also included in the project are three, three-bedroom family homes.
The larger family homes are also adaptable for inter-generational living with bigger kitchens to accommodate food preparation for family gatherings.