More than 11 Northern Territory companies have been keeping busy with construction and repairs and maintenance works, providing training opportunities and business across the NT through remote housing works in Arafura region.
The community of Maningrida has received 75 new or replacement homes, with 20 left to go under the current scheduled works plan, along with a 30 lot subdivision plus another 30 lots underway.
The works have been spread across a variety of construction companies and Aboriginal Business Enterprises, including Darwin local companies GT Builders and Elite Interiors, and Aboriginal Business Enterprise Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation (BAC). GT Builders have delivered 36 new or replacement homes, and are currently working on upgrading and expanding 10 existing homes.
Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation has been engaged to upgrade 23 homes, of which 17 are completed. BAC employs Housing, Homelands and Construction division employs eight Aboriginal staff, including six local Maningrida apprentices who are completing a Certificate III in Carpentry, Air Conditioning and Plumbing.
Darwin local Elite Interiors is currently delivering Stage two of the subdivision works to release another 30 lots in the community.
Local Aboriginal Business Enterprise, Maningrida Progress Association, are providing repairs and maintenance services to 331 houses in Maningrida, 43 houses in Minjilang and 70 houses at Warruwi.
The community of Minjilang is set to receive a total of 10 new or replacement homes, with three already completed and four of these currently underway.
In Gunbalanya, a new 24-lot subdivision and half of the 57 homes set for the community are completed, 12 of which are in the new subdivision.
Housing works in Gunbalanya are being carried out through a joint Aboriginal Business Enterprise venture between the Gunbalanya-based Demed Aboriginal Corporation and Darwin-based, Aboriginal owned construction company Dice Australia (DDJV).
DDJV is hosting five local Aboriginal trainees from Gunbalanya to complete a Certificate II in Construction over the next 12 months.
In addition to the face-to-face block training facilitated by Batchelor Institute, the five trainees will be working on building new homes and home extensions.
Local Aboriginal Business Enterprise Kakadu Contracting is providing repairs and maintenance services to 191 houses at Gunbalanya and 60 Government Employee Houses at Jabiru.
Pirlangimpi has received 52 new and upgraded homes, which were constructed by DT Hobbs.
In a single project for new homes in Pirlangimpi, DT Hobbs engaged 78 Territory businesses, 52 of which were construction related and 26 supplementary business, such as travel, transport, barges and food.
Bathurst Island Housing Association is providing repairs and maintenance services to 306 houses at Wurrumiyanga, 105 houses at Milikapiti and 117 houses at Pirlangimpi.
NT Minister for Remote Housing and Homelands Selena Uibo said the work represented "great progress" in the Arafura Electorate, with "a sustainable economy for the region and Darwin local companies being built".
"Our Lawler Labor Government has made great achievements with nearly 3,800 new and upgraded homes underway and complete across the Territory, and we are ready to continue that work with the new $4 billion investment with the Australian government," she said.
"Our remote housing program has meant work, training and investment for Territorians right across urban, regional and remote areas.
Arafura MP Manuel Brown said Arafura is "bustling with works and training" through the NT government's remote housing program.
"These works mean locals can complete trade programs, be a part of the construction of new homes and have repair works in their communities," he said.