CONCRETE POURED AND WORK UNDERWAY ON NEW DEFENCE HOMES IN BRISBANE

Federal Member for Brisbane Arch Bevis today visited Pickering Hill in Upper Kedron where 41 new Defence homes are being built as part of the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.

“These 41 homes are the first of 103 new homes – worth $32.5 million – which will be built in the Brisbane area over the next two years by Defence Housing Australia (DHA).

“This is in addition to DHA’s existing construction programme of 212 homes, making a total of 315 new homes for our Defence families by June 2011.

“It is very important that our Defence personnel can serve the nation overseas confident that their families are being looked after, and are safe and comfortable in their homes.

“The local economy will also benefit from increased employment in the construction and building supplies industries.”

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon added that the Nation Building Economic - Stimulus Plan was about quick action to bolster the economy, and quick, decisive action it has been; from an announcement in early February to construction work underway in early April.

“This added financial boost to the local community will help us support each other through what could otherwise be much tougher economic times.

“The Defence Housing construction in the Brisbane area shows that the Australian Government is committed to making an immediate impact to support local communities while also having long term benefits for our Defence Force members.”

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

The new housing will be located to support Defence operational centres in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Victoria, Townsville, Cairns, Hunter Valley, Ipswich, and Toowoomba.

DHA currently manages approximately 1,400 homes in the Brisbane area.

Media contacts:

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

Rodney Kendall (Arch Bevis):                                              0419 731 490

Natalie Cooper (DHA)                            02 6217 8524 or 0421 040 098

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664