4500 sign up for expanded NT Home Improvement Scheme

ABOUT 4500 homeowners and businesses have already signed up for the NT Government’s Home Improvement Scheme.

Project Landscaping owner Troy David (right) with tradie Sean Nelson. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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ABOUT 4500 homeowners and businesses have already signed up for the NT Government’s Home Improvement Scheme.

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said the government was pleased with the quick uptake, with 1842 businesses registered and 2644 homeowner applications received as of Tuesday.

After months of no work, Darwin’s Project Landscaping owner Troy David was happy to be busy, with several job inquiries since the Home Improvement Scheme opened.

“Things have been quiet in Darwin for a while now but just this week we’ve been getting quite a few calls, now it’s just a matter of pricing the work up,” Mr David said.

“This scheme worked well last time and it’s shaping up to do the same thing this time.

“It’s certainly a good idea.

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“I’ve heard a few people in the industry say that it has helped them a lot, especially when there’s been no work around and they’ve got long-term employees on.”

After landing a big job at Carpentaria House this month, Mr David said he struggled to fill six vacancies and turned to the NT Government’s new Jobs Hub site for some help.

“I was chasing a few skilled workers and found one through the Jobs Hub, it ended up working out well,” he said.

“There’s a bit of a shortage of labourers at the moment now that all the backpackers have basically left town.

“But it was easy to find a local worker when they’re all on the one site.”

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More than 1300 jobseekers and 63 businesses had registered with Jobs Hub as of Monday.

There have been 400 new local jobs advertised and 225 job connections made.