DEFENCE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION STARTS
FOR NATION BUILDING AND JOBS PLAN

The Hon. Warren Snowdon, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, today announced that the first two construction contracts have been signed for new Defence houses under the Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

“I am very pleased that these contracts for the construction of new homes have been awarded so quickly. The contracts were awarded by Defence Housing Australia to Ausbuild Pty Ltd following two separate tender processes and in total are worth approximately $4.04 million,” Mr Snowdon said.

Under the contracts, 17 houses will be built in North Brisbane by the end of 2009. Each will have four bedrooms and will be occupied by Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families posted to the Brisbane region.

"These contracts signal the start of a comprehensive program that will bolster the building industry and preserve and boost employment in many parts of Australia.

“To make an immediate impact on the economy, it was necessary that government agencies, such as Defence Housing Australia, respond in a positive and efficient way to deliver the benefits of this plan – this has happened,” Mr Snowdon said.

Federal Member for Brisbane Arch Bevis said he was pleased to see new good quality homes being built for Defence families based at Enoggera Barracks.

“The early signing will also sustain valuable local jobs in the building and construction industries.”

Defence Housing Australia received $251.6 million in funding under the Nation Building and Jobs Plan to construct a total of 802 homes across the country.

The new housing will be located to support Defence operational centres in places such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Victoria, Townsville, Cairns, Hunter Valley.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):                    02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Rodney Kendall (Arch Bevis):                                                     0419 731 490

Defence Media Liaison:                                  02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664