Jabiru residents could face rental hike as mine closure draws closer
A LEAKED document detailing a proposed rental hike in the town of Jabiru has angered residents.
Northern Territory
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A LEAKED document detailing a proposed rental hike in the town of Jabiru has angered residents.
The proposed rental hike, if accepted, would see a four-bedroom house jump from $465 a week, the current price, to $567 in 2025 and $630 by 2030.
Over a 10-year period a one-bedroom home will go from $175 to $275.
The document, from Jabiru Kabolkmakmen, which is a joint initiative of the NT government and the traditional owners of Jabiru, indicates the rental hike would take into effect the “adequate provision for repairs and maintenance”.
Currently homes in Jabiru are provided via Energy Resources of Australia, which holds the vast majority of non-government subleases over houses.
Residents of Jabiru have raised concerns the forecasted prices would be too much to bear.
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One resident of the area in Facebook group Jabiru Notice Board said: “They going to run it to the ground, all the good people will leave. It’ll be a ghost town worse than it is now, other businesses won’t come. What a joke.”
Others pointed out the recommended increase was more expensive than some capital cities. The average weekly rent as of September for a house in Darwin according to the NT government is $452.
The agreement is due to expire at the end of this financial year. It has not been determined who will take over the assets.
Jabiru Kabolkmakmen chief executive Marinella Faggion said work was underway to determine the future of housing in Jabiru.
“One of the options available is that private rental houses could be managed by the new housing entity proposed by JKL,” she said.
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“The critical issue still under discussion with the director and the Jabiru Town Development Authority is the timing at which private rental housing will be made available.
“At present, there are no rental houses available.”
Ms Faggion said ERA was working towards fixing properties before the agreement ran out in June next year.
She said Jabiru Kabolkmakmen welcomed discussion around the proposed changes.
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