John Stokes Square will begin welcoming tenants in the coming weeks, with construction of the first two towers of Darwin's largest social housing project now complete and ready to be called home.
Venture Housing has officially signed the lease to manage the complex, located in the heart of Nightcliff, and has begun allocating units to Territorians.
This is the first new development in the Northern Territory to be delivered as a partnership between the NT Government and a Community Housing Provider, as a key plank of the NT Community Housing Growth Strategy.
The first two complexes, both 30 units each, will become home to predominately senior Territorians and people with a disability who are on the public housing waiting list or transferring from an existing property.
John Stokes Square will be managed by registered community housing provider Venture Housing, who will be based at the complex from early next year.
Local construction company Greenspace is delivering the project, with the first towers complete and third nearing completion; in total the project has supported 140 construction jobs.
Quotes from Chief Minister and Member for Nightcliff, Natasha Fyles:
"This is an exciting next step in the renewal of the John Stokes Square precinct. It has transformed the area and will deliver 78 new social housing dwellings for eligible Territorians.
"It is just so special to be able to start welcoming Territorians into their new homes in the fantastic Nightcliff community
"From the new year, some Territory seniors and people with a disability will have a new place to call home.
"This is a project built by Territorians, for Territorians."
Quotes from the Minister for Housing and Homelands Selena Uibo:
"The Territory Labor Government has poured so much into this critical social housing project. Local contractor Greenspace Group have done a great job delivering this project, with more than 140 jobs on site supported so far.
"This build and new style social public housing model will be managed by Venture Housing, a community housing provider, who will provide support to our tenants.
"Building these towers has required 5500 cubic metres of concrete, 3650 pallet blocks assembled and insulation systems that will deliver a national energy efficiency rating of 7.3.
"I am proud that the Territory Labor Government can provide more social housing to the Darwin community."
Quotes from Chief Executive Officer of Venture Housing, Karen Walsh:
"This is an exemplar place-based precinct which will allow our tenants to thrive, to age in place and connect with the community in well designed, well located, safe and secure homes.
"Venture Housing is delighted to have the opportunity to manage the precinct and is looking forward to supporting the tenants as they settle into their new homes in the Nightcliff community.
"We've engaged with our future tenants to let them know that their homes are good to go and the excitement and joy they are showing has been so uplifting."
Northern Territory Government
