- $27.8 million allocated to refurbish multiple older public housing complexes
- Inclusive of the Heritage-listed complex completed in 1958 for seniors
The historic West Perth housing complex Graham Flats will be refurbished and upgraded as part of the McGowan Government's program to extend the life of the State's public housing stock.
The State Government will invest $27.8 million to deliver remedial refurbishment works to the Graham Flats and other complexes. The heritage-listed Graham Flats was built in the post-war International Style and opened as public housing primarily for seniors in 1958.
The three-storey Hay Street complex is comprised of 70 one-bedroom apartments and is managed by the Department of Communities.
Communities is currently working with tenants who will be relocated in stages prior to refurbishments commencing.
Refurbishments will address identified concrete and building compliance issues and include new plumbing and upgrades to laundry facilities, with works expected to be completed in late 2024.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey
"This Government has not only been driving reforms to accelerate the delivery of social housing across Western Australia, but has also been working to retain ageing existing social housing properties wherever possible, so they don't fall out of the system.
"Programs like this are critical in allowing us to improve existing homes and ensure they remain in the system and continue to house some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
"In December last year, we announced the establishment of a State-wide Housing Construction and Refurbishment Builders Panel to accelerate the State Government's social housing delivery and refurbishments.
"The establishment of the panel means new construction projects, like this one, can now be contracted, to smaller, local builders, as building companies appointed to the new panel are pre-approved to build and refurbish social housing.
"This is all part of the McGowan Government's $2.4 billion investment in housing and homelessness services in WA - including the delivery of around 3,300 social housing dwellings, as well as refurbishments and maintenance work to many thousands more."
As stated by Nedlands MLA Dr Katrina Stratton:
"The Graham Flats are an important and integrated part of the West Perth landscape.
"Their refurbishment will guarantee the sustainability of our important public housing assets while also ensuring these heritage-listed buildings are protected and remain a part of the unique West Perth amenity."
