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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-02-20 Daily Xml
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Purrkanaitya Housing Development

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Will the minister please inform the chamber about the joint initiative of the state and commonwealth Labor governments to construct a new social housing development for Aboriginal elders?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:09): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am very pleased to be able to inform the chamber of an exciting recent development that involves both the South Australian and Australian governments to create Purrkanaitya on Kaurna country at Bedford Park, which will provide a place to call home for Aboriginal elders. Purrkanaitya is Kaurna, meaning 'for all elders'.

The project will see 40 modern and culturally appropriate homes built on land donated by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, designed to serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenants aged over 50 and empower them to live independently on country in affordable, safe and secure housing.

The South Australian government is proudly contributing $4 million towards this initiative, assisted by a $3 million federal government contribution. The development will be fit for purpose by way of accessible design features including stepless access and bathroom grab rails, as well as a number of communal areas and culturally significant outdoor fire pits.

The SA Housing Authority's Aboriginal Housing Strategy has a number of aims that will be advanced by this development, including to reduce homelessness amongst Aboriginal people, increasing housing supply and supporting innovative housing solutions. Elders at risk of homelessness will be targeted for inclusion in this project as well as those already living in social housing.

Importantly, the SA homes vacated by tenants who move into Purrkanaitya will be offered to Aboriginal clients currently placed in category 1 on the housing wait list. Aboriginal organisations will lead both the building and ongoing management of the village, with Aboriginal Community Housing to manage the tenancies. This is a very welcome initiative from the feedback that the government has received, and I certainly look forward to construction commencing in August of this year and the first residents moving in, it is anticipated, by the end of 2025.

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