Australia Pacific LNG: Grand Opening for Miles Affordable Homes

Nine new homes were officially opened in Miles as part of Australia Pacific LNG’s $10 million funding package to support communities surrounding its CSG to LNG project with affordable housing.

Featuring a mix of two bedroom and three bedroom designs, the nine new semi-detached, townhouse style homes are designed for young couples, families and individuals, and were opened for first public inspection at a ceremony at one of the new homes at 69 Eleanor St today.

Backed by a $2.05 million contribution from the Australia Pacific LNG housing initiative, the Miles affordable housing development involved a partnership between Origin as Upstream operator of the Australia Pacific LNG project, and leading not-for-profit housing provider Horizon Housing (HH).

Origin General Manager, Approvals, Land and Stakeholder, Rebecca Pickering joined HH Chief Executive Jason Cubit, Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Cr Ray Brown and other community representatives at the launch today to declare the homes open and ready for inspection.

Mrs Pickering said the Miles housing investment meets an immediate need to assist working people to find affordable accommodation within the community.

“There are many benefits and opportunities flowing to surrounding communities as a result of resource development, and we recognise that the added workforce can also contribute to a tightening of the housing market,” Mrs Pickering said.

“We’ve worked closely with Horizon and many parts of the Miles community to develop innovative solutions, and I’m proud to see our combined efforts realised here today.”

HH is Queensland’s leading not-for-profit housing developer specialising in innovative design and construction of affordable housing options. HH Chief Executive Jason Cubit said the completion of the project was a major milestone which confirmed the viability of the affordable housing model.

Two of the new Miles homes will be sold at competitive prices that reflect HH’s not-for-profit business model and reduced cost of construction, with sale proceeds being re-invested in other affordable housing developments within the Australia Pacific LNG project operations area.

The remaining seven homes will be managed by HH and rented at affordable rates. HH will work with the local community centre to ensure the rental properties are managed to meet specific local needs.

Mr Cubit said the seven properties will be rented at a significant discount from market rent: the two bedroom homes will be $200 per week and the three bedrooms $300 per week.

“This is the first time that a major energy company like Origin and a private non-profit housing provider have joined forces to fund and develop new affordable homes for the benefit of the wider community, and this approach could easily serve as a template for other projects across the country,” Mr Cubit said.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown welcomed the involvement of Australia Pacific LNG and HH working together to meet local housing needs.

“This is a great contribution towards affordable housing in this region, which has seen significant change as a result of the boom in resource development,” Mr Brown said. “We look forward to working with Australia Pacific LNG and Horizon Housing on other affordable housing initiatives.”

Australia Pacific LNG has committed $10 million to an integrated housing strategy developed to address accommodation impacts associated with the construction phase of its CSG to LNG project.

Developed in consultation with local councils, community groups and businesses, the housing strategy features practical solutions to tackle housing issues, including construction of a 400 bed accommodation facility to house Origin’s local workforce on site and free up accommodation in town.

The Australia Pacific LNG Project includes development of existing coal seam gas fields in the Surat and Bowen basins and construction of a gas transmission pipeline from the gas fields to an LNG facility under development on Curtis Island in Gladstone.

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LNG World News Staff, March 21, 2013