Troubled NT remote housing program Room to Breathe now back on the right track: Minister

MINISTER for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Gerry McCarthy, says more than 130 homes in 16 remote communities are being extended as part of the NT Government’s innovative Room to Breathe program.

Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Gerry McCarthy, with the Weemol family, whose home was extended as part of the NT Government’s Room to Breathe program. Picture: Supplied

MINISTER for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Gerry McCarthy, says more than 130 homes in 16 remote communities are currently being extended as part of the NT Government’s innovative Room to Breathe program.

So far 220 homes across 31 communities have already been completed and a further 379 homes will receive works over the next four years.

Acknowledging issues identified by the Auditor General in her latest report, Mr McCarthy said problems with record management systems in the early stages of the program had been rectified with clear processes and procedures in place for over 18 months.

“Room to Breathe is on track – $57.4 million of the $65 million program available has been awarded or spent to date and the remaining $7.6 million has been fully committed,” he said.

“I am not deterred by early administrative issues as our program is making tangible changes to the lives of our most vulnerable Territorians and that’s something our Government is proud to have achieved over this term.”

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A report by NT’s Auditor-General Julie Crisp tabled in Territory parliament was highly critical of the Local Government, Housing and Community Development Department’s running of the scheme.

The report said it could not be determined whether the scheme’s “objectives are being achieved economically, efficiently and effectively”.

The Room to Breathe program is a $200 million component of the NT Government’s $1.1bn, 10-year plan to fix overcrowding and poor living standards in the bush.

“The Room to Breathe program is on track with $54.3 million of the $60 million program available, expended or awarded to June 2020,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Room to Breathe is a job-creating program that is just three years into a ten-year program with 220 homes completed and 1256 planned over the next four years.

“Territory businesses are working in communities across the Territory with locals employed at every site, creating hundreds of jobs.”

Mr McCarthy said of the 41 contracts issued for Room to Breathe works so far, 32 have been awarded to Aboriginal Business Enterprises with Aboriginal employment averaging 48 per cent.

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Mr McCarthy says the program extends and improves existing homes, providing extra living spaces such as bedrooms, bathrooms and verandas.

“We’re just three years in so there’s still plenty of work to be done but we have received positive feedback from communities right across the NT,” he said.

“Communities and residents are part of the consultation process so the outcomes suit their needs which is what our Local Decision Making strategy is all about.”

Running alongside the Room to Breathe program is Homebuild NT which has delivered 83 new homes with a further 201 underway including 134 prefabricated homes that are nearing completion.

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Serviced lots are also being built to pave the way for further construction with the tally climbing over 400.

Mr McCarthy said more than 2000 homes have been built, upgraded and improved in remote communities.