Residents in the remote community of Milingimbi in East Arnhem can look forward to improved wellbeing and reduced overcrowding thanks to the latest housing investment from the Northern Territory and Australian Labor Governments.
A $16 million tender has been awarded to WTD Constructions over 3 years to build 32 new homes and extend a further 32 existing homes for the around 1,200 people living in Milingimbi.
WTD Constructions are specialists in remote residential projects with 23 years' experience in over 60 urban and remote locations across the Territory. They will commence work in 2024.
The Territory and Australian Governments jointly fund these works through the $2.1 billion Remote Housing Investment Package Our Community. Our Future. Our Homes - improving Aboriginal housing in remote communities.
This latest housing investment marks another milestone for the East Arnhem Land community with the Territory and Federal Governments recently announcing a co-investment of $11.4 million for three critical construction projects to improve access and reliability of Milingimbi's water supply, and unlock the opportunity for new housing.
The Milingimbi project is one of the first projects under the Australian Government's $150 million commitment to deliver crucial water security projects in regional and remote First Nations communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelands, Selena Uibo:
"The Territory Labor Government is reducing overcrowding, improving the quality of life for so many families and ensuring the overall wellbeing of the Milingimbi community.
"This investment is not just about building homes, this project will boost the local economy and provide opportunities for local employment over the next three years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Lauren Moss:
"The water security project for Milingimbi will be across three locations and includes upgrades and new bores to improve access and reliability of water supply in East Arnhem Land.
"Investing in water infrastructure and water security projects provides tangible benefits to communities enabling new housing, and better services and facilities to support Aboriginal Territorians to live on Country."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney:
"The Australian Government is investing in housing, to help families living in remote Northern Territory communities address overcrowding and improve living conditions.
"For the people of Milingimbi, today marks the beginning of a better quality of life with 32 new houses."
"There's also potential for residents to gain local employment in Milingimbi, when construction starts in 2024."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
"This is really exciting news. Every Australian deserves drinking water. But for more than 25,000 people in remote Australia, that isn't the case. These Australians live in places without access to water that meets basic health guidelines.
"I am thrilled to see that our investment in critical water infrastructure projects in Milingimbi has made building 32 new homes and the extension of a further 32 existing homes possible.
"There is still a lot of work to be done to Close the Gap on water security, and we cannot do it alone.
"That's why our government is working closely with our state and territory partners and First Nations organisations and representatives across the nation to identify, plan and deliver water security projects."
