CONTRACTS SIGNED AND WORK ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY ON NEW DEFENCE HOMES IN DARWIN 

The Hon. Warren Snowdon, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, today witnessed the signing of the first six contracts for new Defence houses in Darwin to be built as part of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.

Joined by the Federal Member for Solomon, Damian Hale, Mr Snowdon said it marked the start of a $76.2 million investment in 185 new houses in Darwin over the next two years.

“This is in addition to Defence Housing Australia’s existing construction program of 150 homes, making a total of 335 new homes for our Darwin Defence families by June 2011.”

Mr Snowdon also announced the DHA Apprenticeship Support Scheme which will create 20 new jobs nationally, with five places in Darwin.

“These are new jobs for apprentices and Defence Housing Australia will provide 50 per cent of the salary for each apprentice for the full four years of their apprenticeship.

“The scheme will provide employment and training opportunities in locations where DHA will have intensive building activity over the next few years, including Townsville, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, and of course Darwin,” said Mr Snowdon.

Mr Damian Hale, Member for Solomon added it is very important that our Defence personnel can serve overseas confident that their families are comfortably housed in Darwin.

“Our local economy will also benefit from increased employment in the construction and building supplies industries, thanks to the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.”

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, Darwin, Townsville, Cairns, Ipswich, and Toowoomba.

DHA currently manages approx 2,000 homes in the Northern Territory.

Media contacts:

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

Brett Walker (Damian Hale):              08 8981 3434 or 0401 119 789

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