Public servants pick up keys to new homes in Wadeye after multimillion dollar investment

The two bedroom houses feature a back courtyard, shed, secure garage and laundry and are subject to three-monthly inspections from housing officers.

Remote tenancy contract officer Lee Ann Wortley receives the keys to her new home from NT government housing officer Daniel Baker. Picture: Supplied

Territory government workers in Wadeye will have brand new digs after a $3.1m investment in four two-bedroom homes.

The Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities handed over the houses this month, with deputy chief executive Brent Warren describing the homes as the backbone of service delivery in remote communities.

Mr Warren said 34 new government employee houses had been delivered through the “our community, our future, our homes” remote housing investment package.

“I’m proud that our government employee housing program is delivering accommodation for frontline workers like teachers, nurses and police officers in our most remote areas,” he said.

“The way we provide government employee housing has really shifted over the years to focus on delivering housing in remote communities with a priority on supporting frontline workers.

“These frontline services are critical to the services we can provide our remote communities and government employee housing is a worthwhile investment in the future of our remotest Territorians.”

Among those picking up their keys was tenancy contract officer, Lee Ann Wortley, who supports 328 remote public housing tenants in Wadeye and surrounding outstations.

Ms Wortley said while she loved the Wadeye community, accommodation was one of the biggest barriers in attracting frontline workers to remote communities.

“There is no rental market in Wadeye so government employee housing is the only way that I can serve the local community,” she said.

“I’ve been in Wadeye for almost two years and I absolutely love my job supporting remote housing tenants and I’m so grateful at how welcoming the community has been.

“Working in communities is not without its challenges but it’s also one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.”

The two bedroom houses feature a back courtyard, shed, secure garage and laundry and are subject to three-monthly inspections from housing officers.

The housing is free for as long as the government employee remains in the public sector.