Minister for Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni today was welcomed to country by local Gubbi Gubbi identity Lyndon Davis, to officially announce the new naming of a major social housing project in Maroochydore during a visit to the Sunshine Coast.
Mr de Brenni said the 16-unit, three storey building will now officially be called Muru-kutchi Gardens.
"Muru-kutchi means red bill in the local language, the name for the black swan commonly seen in the area.
"The genuine connection that locals like Lyndon have to this area, and his appreciation of the choice of name, mean that whilst it's a home for many, I'm especially proud of Muru-kutchi Gardens and attaching that name to a quality building.
Mr de Brenni said the $4.6 million project which was designed to look the part in the modern suburb, has provided 16 new homes for Queenslanders and has helped support the 3,900 jobs created under the Palaszczuk Government in the region in the past year alone, especially in the construction sector.
"This top shelf project was built by South East Queensland company Nano Constructions using local subcontracting firms.
"I'm very happy with the finish of the building and how it compares to surrounding developments, so a big thanks goes to the 380 construction workers who helped make it happen.
"We promised Queenslanders more accessible housing and we've delivered once again with features such as wider hallways, level thresholds, provision for grab rails, extra clearance spaces, all of which makes them particularly suitable for clients with a range of mobility challenges.
"Every unit gets a car park, including four wheelchair accessible spaces."
"The Sunshine Coast is one of the most liveable communities in the nation and as the local population swells, so too does the demand for housing and associated services.
"It's why our $1.8 billion Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 will deliver more social and affordable housing across the state and transform the way that housing services are delivered, especially in partnership approach across Government agencies and service providers and community organisations. "
Through the Housing Construction Jobs Program initiative under the Strategy, the Queensland Government is investing $71 million to build 243 new social housing dwellings on the Sunshine Coast from 2017-2022.
"This investment will see work for small, medium and large construction businesses, supporting the equivalent of 40 full time local jobs each year over the five years of the program.
"Our continued investment in social housing construction provides people with a safe, secure place to live as well as an income for local workers," Mr De Brenni said.
