SOCIAL housing stock in Moree is in line for a major upgrade with more than one and a half million dollars set to be injected into Aboriginal housing in the shire.
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The NSW government earmarked $1.7 million for Remote Indigenous Housing in last week’s budget, though further details are yet to be ironed out.
A spokesperson from the Department of Family and Community Services said the money would be used to purchase or construct new housing stock.
“Before making any final decisions, the Aboriginal Housing Office will undertake broader consultation with the local Aboriginal Community to identify their specific needs, determine how this fits within broader town planning aspects, and consult with both the local council and the Land and Housing Corporation,” the spokesperson said.
Moree Plains Shire Council’s director of planning and development, Angus Witherby, said the money would dovetail nicely with existing efforts to improve South Moree.
“This will complement what the state government is already doing and what Council has been doing over a number of years to bring about physical changes within South Moree,” Mr Witherby said.
“We’ve just been through an intensive consultation process in regards to the South Moree Social Plan’ – and I note that the plan is for all residents, not just indigenous residents – and we will be working that through with councilors this month towards a draft recommendation.”
Mr Witherby said work proposed by Housing NSW the plan involved converting cul-de-sacs into through roads, while council is looking to upgrade parks and outdoor facilities and removing burnt-out houses.
“We have a program now that allows us to fund two or three house removals per year and over the next few years we will be dealing with all the burnt-out houses but, more importantly, the Moree South Social Plan will allow us to work on the issues which create ... challenges for the people of South Moree in the first place,” Mr Witherby said.