News and Media
24 June 2010
$43m Defence housing development at Muirhead given go-ahead
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, Alan Griffin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly, today announced that the first stage of the $43 million Defence Housing Australia development at Muirhead, Northern Territory, has been given the go-ahead by the Public Works Committee.
Mr Griffin said, "The Muirhead project will help stem the housing crisis in Darwin by providing 166 building lots for Defence, private, and affordable and community housing developments".
Dr Kelly said, "Under stage one of the project, Defence Housing Australia will construct 50 new homes for Defence members serving in the Darwin region. Twenty-five lots will be offered to the Northern Territory Government for affordable and community housing and the balance of 91 lots will be sold to the general public".
"The later stages of the project, which will be undertaken over eight to 10 years, will see the construction of approximately 330 additional homes for Defence personnel in Darwin," he said.
Currently about 4500 Defence personnel reside in the Darwin area, of whom about 40 per cent are members with dependants. To meet this demand, Defence Housing Australia currently manages more than 1800 dwellings in and around Darwin.
Mr Griffin said, "Defence housing at Muirhead will be developed to match Darwin's climate and lifestyle, taking into account environmental and community considerations.
"The Muirhead development has already received accolades for housing and urban design for its creative response to Darwin’s unique environmental and climatic conditions," he said.
The Muirhead project is being delivered under a Memorandum of Understanding between Defence Housing Australia and the Northern Territory Government.
Mr Griffin said, "All Defence Housing Australia developments are in line with community standards and families with special needs are assisted to ensure housing is suitable for their needs.
"Defence Housing Australia works hard to provide appropriate housing for Defence families with special needs, including such things as modifications to service residences and providing housing close to hospitals and special care units.
"Housing is a headline attraction in recruiting for the Australian Defence Force and Defence Housing Australia is continually upgrading its housing portfolio to provide a wider selection of quality properties to Defence members," he said.
The primary function of Defence Housing Australia is to supply housing and related services to Defence members and their families in line with Defence operational requirements.
Defence Housing Australia currently manages more than 17,500 properties across Australia worth around $8 billion.
Media Contacts
Sasha Nimmo (Alan Griffin): 0437 863 109
Elyse Gatt (Mike Kelly): 0437 502 246
Natalie Cooper (Defence Housing Australia): 0421 040 098
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664