MEMBER for Barwon, Kevin Humphries has urged locals to have their say on social housing.
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The request came after the NSW Government released their discussion paper on social housing in NSW.
Mr Humphries said the Liberals Nationals Government inherited a social housing system that was unfair and unsustainable, but since 2011, they’ve “worked hard” to make the social housing system fairer and better.
“Despite these improvements, the social housing system continues to face significant challenges and pressures. This discussion paper provides an opportunity for every member of the community to have their say on how we can ensure social housing is fair and sustainable for years to come,” he said.
Moree Plains Shire Council (MPSC) mayor, Katrina Humphries, said social housing was an important part of the town’s “whole fabric”.
“However, a few years ago we (parts of the south Moree community) fought tooth and nail not to have an ill-conceived, poorly planned, badly designed and totally inappropriate development done by Housing NSW,” Councillor Humphries said.
“The upshot of this disgraceful Housing NSW plan was that the units had to be nearly completely rebuilt at an enormous cost to the tax payer; it is alleged to be in excess of $20 million for the repairs to the Housing NSW units in Moree.”
Cr Humphries stressed the importance of consultation with the community and the council when a new social housing development was on the table.
“We had no input whatsoever with the aforesaid developments, no input into the concrete pours, or the design or anything relevant to the construction and look what happened, so I welcome social housing but would urge anyone else (drover’s dog included) to do proposed developments other than Housing NSW as I believe that many of the dysfunctional staff involved with the badly designed and constructed units are still employed with Housing NSW,” she said.
“The worst part of this to me is that the Housing NSW staff have not been made accountable and could not be told.”
Submissions on the discussion paper are open until February 20, 2015 and more information can be found at www.facs.nsw.gov.au
