National partnership agreement on remote indigenous housing

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Wednesday, 23 November 2011]
p9628a-9628a
Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Simon O'Brien

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ON REMOTE INDIGENOUS HOUSING

1055. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the Minister for Housing:

I refer to the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing.

(1) How many dwellings for Aboriginal people did the state commit to construct under the agreement, and
over what time frame?

(2) How many dwellings have been built to date and where?

(3) What is the average construction cost for each dwelling?

(4) In reference to the average occupancy of each dwelling —

(a) by how much has the additional housing reduced overcrowding; and

(b) what is the target occupancy rate?

(5) What consultation has government undertaken to ensure that the dwellings are culturally appropriate
and suited to the climatic conditions?

(6) Have any Aboriginal people been trained or employed in the building, construction or maintenance
areas of this partnership; and if so, please give details?

Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1) It is 295 by 2012–13. It commenced in 2009–10.

(2) In 2009–10 Western Australia exceeded its construction target by three units, and was one of only two
states to deliver on time. This resulted in the state receiving a $4.021 million bonus payment for remote
Indigenous communities in Western Australia.

In 2010–11 Western Australia again exceeded its NPARIH construction target by 12 units and also
exceeded its refurbishment target by 13 units. There were168 dwellings in Ardyaloon, Balgo, Bayulu,
Beagle Bay, Bindi Bindi, Blackstone, Bondini, Carnarvon, Darlngunaya Gillaroong, Jigalong, Junjuwa,
Kalumburu, Kununurra, Kurnangki, Loanbun, Old Looma, Mardiwah Loop, Mindi Bungu, Mowanjum,
Mt Margaret, Nicholson Block, Noonkanbah, Pandanus Park, Pia Wadjari, Red Hill, Warmun,
Warrayu, Wongatha Wonganarra and Woolah.

(3) The average construction cost for dwellings built under the 2009–10 and 2010–11 program was
$447 000.

(4) (a) There was a reduction in average people per dwelling from 3.67 to 3.04.

(b) It is six per dwelling in WA.

(5) The department is obligated to negotiate with each individual community in the design of housing. The
negotiations occur prior to the construction of the properties.

(6) Yes. The commonwealth target is for a minimum of 20 per cent local Aboriginal training and
employment. Western Australia has exceeded this target. In 2009–10, it was 21.8 per cent and 2010–11,
36.8 per cent.