Wet season hasn’t stopped Gunablanya housing development

A West Arnhem community is on the end of a massive housing push which is providing healthier and less crowded homes.

Aerial shot of the development. Picture: Supplied

Gunbalanya in West Arnhem is in the midst of a housing boom with 10 new homes recently built and works currently under way on a 24-lot subdivision.

The latest developments are part of a $30m investment by the Territory Labor government to improve housing and upskill local labourers in the community.

The government has built 38 new homes since 2016, with 17 more currently under construction and another 12 planned for the future.

Works are being carried out through a joint Aboriginal Business Enterprise venture by the Gunbalanya-based Demed Aboriginal Corporation and Darwin-based, Indigenous-owned construction company Dice Australia.

Aerial shot of the development. Picture: Supplied

Remote Housing and Homelands minister Selena Uibo said the Gunbalanya development was just one part in a Territory-wide initiative.

“Jobs and housing are key priorities for the Territory Labor government, with the halfway mark of housing in Gunbalanya an important achievement in the delivery of homes across the Northern Territory,” she said

“The Territory Labor government’s remote housing program is changing the housing and social landscape in remote communities across the NT, with Gunbalanya a great example of this positive change.

“That’s why we have made such a big investment in addition to replacement homes, extensions, renovations and refurbishments.

“Better homes mean better outcomes for health, psychological well being, education and employment as well as improved living conditions and social status.”

As part of the Room to Breathe program 60 homes have also been upgraded with plans for 40 more to be renovated in the future.

Community input is a large part of the program ensuring that residents have the homes they desire with feedback gathered on colours, house designs, and orientations.

Arafura MLA Manuel Brown said the community embraced being involved in the process and the benefits the program has brought.

Member for Arafura Manuel Brown. Picture: Supplied

“The Gunbalanya community has welcomed the Territory Labor government’s housing investment as they have been highly involved in the planning, design and construction works,” he said

“This has been a job-creating and upskilling project which has offered a number of certified training opportunities for locals of the community.

“Nearly half the homes have been completed, which means dozens of families now have safe, healthy homes. I have heard that this has made such a difference for families to have their own home.”

A new health facility is also planned for Gunbalanya with the tender to be announced in the coming weeks.

• The bullet point summary was created with the assistance of AI technology (PaLM2) then edited and approved for publication by an editor.