³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s in theTerritorys most central communities are set for upgrades thanks to a $5.5million investment by the Labor Government.
Around 60homes will be upgraded at Elliotts Wilyugu and Gurungu camps and at theMarlinja ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾lands, 25 kilometres north of the town.
The successfultenderer, Power Projects, has already been onsite, scoping three vacant housesthat will be upgraded for use as transitional accommodation.
Elliottlocals, Gary Ulamari and Darren Raymond, have joined the Power Projects team asfull-time employees and will be working on a range of tasks.
PowerProjects will also subcontract to a local business and engage with CommunityDevelopment Program (CDP) workers.
The $5.5million is part of a $35.5 million investment through the NT Governments TownCamps Futures Unit.
As noted by Minister forLocal Government, Housing and Community Development, Gerry McCarthy:
Residentsat these communities have participated in planning the repairs and renovationsthat will lead to opportunities of real jobs for locals.
As thelocal Member for Barkly, I am honoured to be delivering this housing project tothese communities and I look forward to my next visit when Ill see localpeople on the tools, upgrading homes for local families.
It has been a long haul for the people ofElliott and Marlinja but these works will transform their communities andcreate generational change. In the meantime I will continue to advocate formore works under the Labor Governments housing programs.
As noted by Power ProjectsGeneral Manager, Andrew Harvey:
Thisinvestment by the NT Government will make a big difference to Elliott andMarlinja.
We will beworking with residents on the look and feel of the finished product. These aretheir homes so they should have a say in how they will be repaired.
This willbe a really good story and were looking forward to being a part of it all.
Photo caption: Darren Raymond fromPower Projects checks over the first house to be repaired at Elliott.