Mr Wettenhall asked the Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women (Minister Struthers) — Will the Minister advise of the availability of housing for Indigenous persons in the Barron River Electorate and provide an update on new dwellings and associated infrastructure that are planned or under construction?
ANSWER
As at 28 February 2010, there were 284 social housing units of accommodation in the Barron River electorate.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible for all social housing dwellings. Of these 284 units, 158 were Public Rental Housing, 106 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rental Housing and 20 were Community Housing.

In the Barron River electorate, under the capital works construction program for 2009–10, the Department of Communities has commenced construction of seven units of accommodation for an approved budget of $4.268 million and plans to commence construction of a further 48 units of accommodation for an approved budget of $13.151 million.

In 2008–09 and 2009–10, $380,000 has also been allocated under the Repairs and Maintenance component of the Australian Government's Nation Building and Economic Stimulus Package initiative. As at 28 February 2010, a total of $129,000 has been expended on the installation of fencing, driveways and other general maintenance activities under this initiative. A further $25,000 has been committed.

In 2009–10, the electorate will also benefit from approximately $464,000 from the normal upgrade program for the upgrade of existing social rental housing dwellings.

As at 28 February 2010, $210,000 has been expended on kitchen and fencing upgrades and a sewer upgrade, whole-of-house refurbishments, floor coverings and the provision of disability modifications.

Further, approximately $695,000 will be expended from the normal maintenance budget on maintaining social rental dwellings including responses to tenant requests, internal and external repaints, statutory/mandatory and vacant maintenance and other maintenance activities. As at 28 February 2010, $328,000 has been expended
on these maintenance activities.