Homeowners irate as home reno voucher scheme suddenly slams shut due to oversubscription

HOMEOWNERS and tradies have scrambled to apply for the NT Government’s $60 million home improvement scheme, after a sudden deadline of 5pm Friday was set. And they weren’t happy

• Fury over ‘sudden’ deadline for tradie Home Improvement Scheme

HOMEOWNERS and tradies have scrambled to apply for the NT Government’s multimillion-dollar home improvement scheme, after a sudden deadline of 5pm Friday was set on Thursday afternoon.

Interest in the Home Improvement Scheme has been unprecedented, with the government receiving more than 13,000 applications in the 12 days since it opened on April 6.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner on Thursday revealed a decision had been made to double the scheme from $30 million to $60 million so that no Territorian whose application is approved would miss out.

A government spokesman said at this stage applications had likely already surpassed $60 million and are expected to provide $150 million in economic benefit.

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The deadline for applications had initially been set for the end of October 2020, or once funding ran out, whichever came first.

With just hours to go until the scheme’s deadline tradies were bing run off their feet preparing last minute quotes, with fears some were giving “worst case scenario” ballpark prices in order to speed up the process.

CLP leader Lia Finocchiaro slammed the “snap announcement” and said the changes to the scheme were confusing and surprising for tradies and homeowners hoping to take advantage of it.

She said tradies had “no real opportunity” on Friday to submit quotes and keep the pipeline of work going for 12 months, as the government desires.

“The Gunner Government sure does like to surprise Territorians at the moment with snap decisions and short time frames. Surely an approach of open communication is preferred,” she said.

“Let’s hope they have another think about the best way to extend the scheme to benefit businesses and homeowners. Third time lucky.”

Master Builders NT chief executive Dave Malone said tradies were caught in a “snowstorm” and the popularity of the scheme was “beyond what anyone thought was possible”.

The peak body has endorsed the scheme, indicating the sudden closure was in fact good news of the phenomenal response.

Mr Malone said the doubling of the scheme’s funding by the government was commendable.

“If you think it about it, there’s only about 100,000 properties in the Territory, and about 13,000 properties have put in quotes,” he said.

“It’s a win for the Territory economy, it’s a win for local contractors.”

This works out to more than 1000 applications a day.

Mathematically, based on an average of $5000 per application, the Territory Government was likely to max out the $60 million by its Friday deadline if everyone is approved.

Mr Malone said the government should “take stock” of what they have left and have a “little bit of discretion for people who were a long way through but weren’t ready”.