Bellamack Subdivision Reannounced

The Government today re-announced the development of the Bellamack sub-division; that is twice in six months (on the 21st of March this year, the Minister announced Bellamack for the first time).

Deputy Opposition Leader, Terry Mills, today criticised the Government's re-announcement as a cynical and desperate attempt to convince Territorians and the housing industry that something is happening. Territory first home buyers deserve more than re-announcements. They need leadership that ensures adequate land at affordable prices.

"The fact is that by telling Territorians that expressions of interest don't close for another month reveals how far the Government is from actually delivering these blocks. It will be more than a year before these blocks are going to be turned off and families move in.

"In the meantime the dream of entering the home market fades. Even today I had another family speak to me of their plight as they reconsider their future in the Territory due to being unable to find affordable housing.

There are hundreds of families trying to get into the first home owner's market. Reserving 15% for first home owners and pubic housing won't even address the first home owner market generated in a single year, let alone those waiting now.

"This land shortage is artificially created. It is the product of poor planning and foresight and has nothing to do with recent interest rate hikes. If supply fails to match demand, costs rise.

The 17% interest rate level under the ALP hurt many more people than current rates are doing. The Chamber of Commerce recently and quite correctly pointed out that this Government was solely responsible for the shortage of land and that it should release more land sooner rather than later.

"The Minister says that her policy of slow land release is the best policy. The land release process, however, is so slow that is choking people out of the market place.

"The effect of this too little too late approach will not satisfy demand and denying this situation may well retard the future of Darwin.”

2007-09-04