Funds for the NT Government’s hugely popular Home Improvement Scheme start to flow

THE Northern Territory Government Home Improvement Scheme received more applications on its closing day than it had received in the final 10 days of the scheme’s short life – and now the cash has started rolling out the door, with 179 applications assessed to date.

The Northern Territory Government Home Improvement Scheme received more applications on its closing day than it had received in the final 10 days of the scheme’s short life – and now the cash has started rolling out the door, with 179 applications assessed to date.

• NT Government boosts Home Improvement Scheme to $100m
• Fury over ‘sudden’ deadline to apply for Home Improvement Scheme
• Homeowners irate as home reno voucher scheme doubles then suddenly slams shut
• 4500 sign up for expanded NT Home Improvement Scheme

THE Northern Territory Government Home Improvement Scheme received more applications on its closing day than it had received in the final 10 days of the scheme’s short life.

And the good news is the cash has started rolling out the door with to date 179 applications assessed, with 135 applications approved and vouchers sent to homeowners.

Around $800,000 of vouchers have already been issued, which means tradies and contractors can start work immediately on these homeowner’s projects.

It’s important that businesses and homeowners are aware that works must not start until their application has been approved by the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation.

The Jobs Rescue and Recovery team aim to process around 600 to 800 applications each week, with all 20,000 applications assessed in the next six months.

MORE TOP STORIES

More than half of NT coronavirus patients have recovered

NT Government expenditure ‘not much changed’ by virus: Gunner

Jimmy Shu’ Taste of the Territory to hit TV screens on Thursday

Announced as a $30 million scheme on March 18, the Government was forced to shut down the scheme just 30 days later because of its runaway success with a new spend of a staggering $100 million and 19,499 applications.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he knows his decision to shut the scheme down at short notice would have “pissed a few people off”.

He also confirmed the original intent of the scheme was to cover a six-month economic window, but now with so many applications the approval of applications will be spread over six months with a further six months for work to be completed.

He has warned those people who were part of the last-minute closing day rush that “it will take a little bit of time to get to you”.

Full access to our journalism – just $1 for the first 28 days

Mr Gunner said cabinet had expected 5000 people to take up the scheme in three months, but the number of applicants raced past 9000 within the first month.

“Territorians jumped on the scheme on that last day and we absolutely now have a 12- month work pipeline for jobs,” he said.

Mr Gunner said he was sorry people had missed out.