Wadeye is a hive of activity with building works underway at several sites.
Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy was at the remote community recently to meet locals involved in the job-creating projects and to inspect new houses and recently refurbished homes.
Thamarrurr Development Corporation, which has a 150-strong team including around 100 Wadeye locals, is involved in most of the building works. The company has just finished constructing five duplex houses which tenants will move into over the next few weeks.
The refurbishment of 98 homes is nearing completion. Windows, kitchen, bathrooms, ceilings and plumbing have been replaced and security grills installed. Theres new tiling throughout the homes which have been acid washed and repainted.
Since coming to Government just over two years ago, the Territory Labor Government has delivered 12 new homes at Wadeye and eight homes have been extended and improved under the Room to Breathe program which aims to alleviate overcrowding and improve liveability.
Theres more to come with planning underway for 21 more houses. Further, work is set to begin on a 16-lot subdivision for future Homebuild NT projects.
As stated by Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy:
Jobs and housing are key priorities of the Territory Labor Government.
Better homes improve the lives of people in remote communities and lead to better health, education and lifestyle outcomes.
We are increasing the number of homes and addressing the shocking state of some of the housing in remote areas as well as creating local jobs that involve training and skills development.
As noted by Wadeye local and Thamarrurr Development Corporation worker Marcellus Wundjar:
Im used to working hard and I like to be working on these houses.
I get the fencing done and painting too, whatever jobs they need me to do.
My son and my daughter live in houses that were working on so I like to be able to fix them up properly for my grandkids.
My grandkids like to see me working on the houses and all this work going on here is good for everyone.
