Menzies Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) will receive nearly $300,000 of McGowan Government funding for essential maintenance on five properties in Marmion Village in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
Since its establishment in 1988, MAC has been the primary provider of Aboriginal housing in the Menzies community.
The funding – provided through the Government’s Social Housing Economic Recovery Package (SHERP) Grants Program – will go towards maintenance works including:
- improvements to kitchens and bathrooms;
- replacement of cabinetry;
- deep cleaning;
- pest control; and
- general plaster and tiling works.
The maintenance works will enable MAC to provide casual employment opportunities to local community members and substantially extend the lifespan of the homes.
MAC will keep sourcing of materials local to keep costs to a minimum, and ensure that funding will benefit the local economy.
The Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance Grant Program is one of three streams being delivered through the State Government’s SHERP Grants Program, and is designed to support organisations providing social housing in remote areas and improve the liveability and lifespan of existing housing assets.
A total of $16.7 million has been allocated to the Remote Aboriginal Communities Maintenance stream.
The SHERP Grants Program is part of the McGowan Government’s $2.4 billion investment in social housing and homelessness over the coming four years.
The McGowan Government has also established a new $350 million fund focused on improving housing, water, and power in remote Aboriginal communities.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
“Our Government is committed to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people living in remote communities and this grant will help to improve housing for people in Marmion Village.
“The SHERP Grants Program was established to support organisations that provide social housing in remote areas with maintenance works to improve housing and the lives of community members, and to sustain the remote communities in which they live.
“Our Government’s commitment to remote communities was highlighted in the 2022-23 State Budget when we announced a new $350 million Remote Communities Fund, which will be used to improve housing, power and water infrastructure.
“We’re deeply proud to provide this funding to the Menzies Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) to improve housing conditions for their community members in the Goldfields.
“I am pleased that MAC will seek to provide casual employment opportunities to Aboriginal community members, as this will help to improve liveability and increase skills and knowledge.
“MAC’s approach to sourcing local materials is another great way for SHERP funding to help boost the local economy.”
