Northern Territory Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy

Jobs And Housing Transforming Wadeye

Victor P Taffa

Wadeye is a hive of activity with building works underway at several sites.

Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy was at the remote community recently to meet locals involved in the job-creating projects and to inspect new houses and recently refurbished homes.

“Jobs and housing are key priorities of the Territory Government.” Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy said.

“Better homes improve the lives of people in remote communities and lead to better health, education and lifestyle outcomes.”

Thamarrurr Development Corporation, which has a 150-strong team including around 100 Wadeye locals, is involved in most of the building works. The company has just finished constructing 5 duplex houses which tenants will move into over the next few weeks.

“I’m used to working hard and I like to be working on these houses.” Wadeye local and Thamarrurr Development Corporation worker Marcellus Wundjar said.

“I get the fencing done and painting too, whatever jobs they need me to do.”

Refurbishment of 98 homes is nearing completion. Windows, kitchen, bathrooms, ceilings and plumbing have been replaced and security grills installed. There’s new tiling throughout the homes which have been acid washed and repainted.

“My son and my daughter live in houses that we’re working on so I like to be able to fix them up properly for my grandkids.” Wadeye local and Thamarrurr Development Corporation worker Raymond Parmbuk said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since coming to Government just over 2 years ago, the Northern Territory Government has delivered 12 new homes at Wadeye and 8 homes have been extended and improved under the Room to Breathe program which aims to alleviate overcrowding and improve liveability.

“My grandkids like to see me working on the houses and all this work going on here is good for everyone.” Wadeye local and Thamarrurr Development Corporation worker Edmund Mardigan said.

There’s more to come with planning underway for 21 more houses. Further, work is set to begin on a 16-lot subdivision for future Homebuild NT projects.

 

Abbreviations:

NT                   Northern Territory

 

Photo Captions:

Marcellus Wundjar with Minister for Housing and Community Development Gerry McCarthy

Thamarrurr’s Raymond Parmbuk painting a new house

Thamarrurr’s Edmund Mardigan painting a new house