Concerns over Katherine’s $24m dollar infrastructure package to target housing crisis

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Federal Government has announced a 24-million-dollar infrastructure package for the town of Katherine. The funds will kickstart the development of much needed housing but there are concerns it won't be soon enough for those most in need.

Transcript

00:00The need for housing in Catherine has become desperate.

00:07We have 100 families and 70 young people at any one time seeking housing, safe housing,

00:14affordable housing and someone to stay at night.

00:17But today a potential fix.

00:19We're investing $7 million here in Catherine East alongside the Northern Territory Government

00:25and work with the Council to unlock further housing.

00:28The investment will see infrastructure put in place, paving the way for new neighbourhoods

00:33and over 700 new homes.

00:36This investment is for the physical infrastructure, not the building of homes,

00:40but the physical infrastructure.

00:42Roads, kerbing, culverts, sewerage, water connectivity, electricity connectivity.

00:47A portion is set aside for social and affordable housing,

00:51but it could be years before homes rise from the ground

00:55and service providers say there's a need for a more immediate solution.

01:00It needs to be happening now.

01:02The region has been calling for a number of years for investment into short-stay accommodation

01:06so when people come to town or there's overcrowding, there is somewhere safe to go.

01:11The federal funding package will also commit $4 million towards upgrading Nipmaluk Tourism Services,

01:18$1 million for the Urupunja Community Water Park

01:21and almost $2 million for upgrading access roads.

01:25As we know, Catherine Gorge attracts over 250,000 people a year.

01:30We certainly need that development and we appreciate and thank the federal government

01:35for their input into our town.

01:38Welcome attention for a town too often overlooked.

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