LGANT wants cash to help build $bn remote housing

Local Government’s cash plea for support to make the most of $4bn remote housing investment.

The Northern Territory’s local government sector wants both major political parties to commit funding to help plan for the Commonwealth’s $4bn remote housing rollout.

Local Government Association president Kon Vatskalis said last week’s signing of the $4bn Territory-Commonwealth agreement to build 270 homes a year over the next decade should be backed by financial support to local government.

He said all 2700 homes would be built within a local government boundary and require services and infrastructure provided by local government councils.

The 2700-new home agreement is in addition to urban social and affordable housing promised under the National Housing Accord and Housing Australia Future Fund.

Stella and her son Terrance in front of a new Galiwinku home.

Welcoming the Commonwealth’s $4bn investment, Mr Vatskalis said whoever was in government after the August election must commit extra resources to local government.

“Effective and comprehensive planning involving local government is essential for the success and timely delivery of these housing initiatives,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“There is no point building a house without a road, rubbish collection, street lighting, traffic management, stormwater drainage, telecommunications, power, water, and sewage. Local councils are responsible for some of these critical services, so they must be involved in the planning of new housing projects.

“Unfortunately, some councils don’t have the capacity to provide their valuable input into the planning cycle because of the difficulty in attracting and retaining dedicated skilled staff for what is relatively low planning demand in the Territory.

“If housing and infrastructure are planned and built without the input of councils, it can lead to considerable expenses to rectify mistakes in the long term. We know this from experience.

“Local government councils are the sphere of government closest to the community and know their community’s priorities, so we want to work with the Territory Government, the planning authority, now to improve the situation as demand requires.”

Remote community housing is getting a $4bn boost.

The Northern Territory is Australia’s only jurisdiction where council’s do not have a direct role in planning decision making.

The Development Consent Authority was established in the 1980s to independently review projects with relevant representatives from government, council and community.

LGANT also asked the Territory Government and Opposition to commit to allocating a portion of the billions in housing funding to reviewing and updating Area Plans in major remote towns and Community Living Area Plans in smaller remote communities.

He said this would cater for forecast population growth, and the facilitation and leveraging of economic development and major project opportunities.

“Proper planning with local government is key to the success of any housing program, so let’s work together to build not just houses, but well-planned, sustainable communities,” Mr Vatskalis said.

A NT Government spokesman ruled out additional support. “Councils will receive increased rates from the construction of new houses and Government will work with LGANT to ensure that councils are able to service their communities,” she said.